Paris Junior College’s growth rate is noted

Published or Revised December 16, 2010

Paris Junior College was named recently as one of the top 50 fastest growing two-year colleges in the United States. The rankings are based on annual enrollment data collected by the Department of Education for the 2008-2009-college year. Paris Junior College tied with five other colleges ranked 27th to 31st with a phenomenal 18 percent increase, according to a report recently issued by Community College Week magazine. The analysis listed PJC as the 31st fastest-growing community college for its size – between 5,000 and 9,999 enrollments – in the country. Enrollment was on the rise nationwide in community colleges but numbers have jumped since the recession began in 2007. The nation's 1,200 community colleges are seeing record demand as economic growth remains slow and high unemployment persists. Nationwide, enrollment jumped 8.3 percent in public two-year community colleges between 2008-2009. Texas experienced an enrollment growth of 12 percent from 2008-2009. Community colleges are the largest sector of higher education in Texas with more than 720,000 students enrolled in the 50 Texas community college districts. This 720,000 is 55 percent of all students enrolled in Texas public higher education. Enrollment has increased 67 percent since fall of 2000, and in the past two years combined, community colleges have grown by 20 percent. There were five other Texas colleges in PJC's category. Only Alvin Community College came in higher at 26th. There were seven Texas colleges in the 10,000 or more category, and three in 2,500-4,999. PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin said, "It is really nice to see PJC recognized as one of the 50 fastest growing community colleges in America. This national recognition highlights the work of PJC faculty and staff and the possibilities available in the five county area served by PJC."