First-Time in College Students
Enrollment TrendsFIRST-TIME IN COLLEGE STUDENT ENROLLMENT
CHANGES IN ENROLLMENT
Researchers have identified population decline, employment opportunities, and competition from four-year institutions as factors that contributed to a nationwide decrease in enrollment of first-time in college students at public, two-year colleges between Fall 2016 and Fall 2020.1
First-time in college (FTIC) students include those who attended college for the first time in the fall term, students who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term and then enrolled in the fall term, and students with prior high school dual enrollment or other advanced standing who attended college for the first time in the fall term.
National Comparison
Nationwide, overall fall enrollment of first-time in college students at public, two-year colleges decreased by 188,693 students from Fall 2016 to Fall 2020.2
At NOVA, overall fall enrollment of first-time in college students decreased by 613 students from Fall 2016 to Fall 2020.2
National Comparison
Nationwide, overall fall enrollment of first-time in college students at public, two-year colleges decreased by 188,693 students from Fall 2016 to Fall 2020.2
At NOVA, overall fall enrollment of first-time in college students decreased by 613 students from Fall 2016 to Fall 2020.2
Virginia Enrollment
According to data from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), between Fall 2017 and Fall 2021, fall headcount enrollment of first-time in college (FTIC) students increased at NOVA but decreased at Virginia Community College System (VCCS) colleges and at public, four-year institutions in Virginia.3, 4
Fall 2017–Fall 2021
VCCS
VA 4-Year
Enrollment by Gender
At NOVA, fall headcount enrollment increased for female first-time in college students but decreased for male first-time in college students. Enrollment of female and male students also decreased across VCCS colleges and at public, four-year institutions in Virginia. Enrollment among students who did not specify a gender increased by 46 (242.1%) at NOVA and by 133 (289.1%) across VCCS colleges.
Fall 2017–Fall 2021
Female
Race/Ethnicity Comparison with VCCS
Fall headcount enrollment of first-time in college students decreased for Hispanic students but increased by similar amounts for students who did not specify a race/ethnicity, both at NOVA (+1,244 students, 1,207.8%), and across VCCS colleges (+2,056 students, 772.9%). Enrollment increased in all other race/ethnicity groups at NOVA, while VCCS enrollment decreased among Black and White students. Enrollment among American Indian/Native American students increased by 32 students at NOVA (128.0%) and by 26 students across VCCS colleges (24.3%).
Fall 2017–Fall 2021
VCCS
Race/Ethnicity Comparison with VCCS
Fall headcount enrollment of first-time in college students decreased for Hispanic students but increased by similar amounts for students who did not specify a race/ethnicity, both at NOVA (+1,244 students, 1,207.8%), and across VCCS colleges (+2,056 students, 772.9%). Enrollment increased in all other race/ethnicity groups at NOVA, while VCCS enrollment decreased among Black and White students. Enrollment among American Indian/Native American students increased by 32 students at NOVA (128.0%) and by 26 students across VCCS colleges (24.3%).
Fall 2017–Fall 2021
VCCS
Race/Ethnicity Comparison with Va Public 4-Year
At public, four-year institutions in Virginia, fall headcount enrollment of first-time in college students decreased among White students. Enrollment at four-year institutions increased for students of most other races and ethnicities except students who did not specify a race, among whom enrollment decreased by 1,218 students (51.2%). Enrollment among American Indian/Native American students increased by six students (14.0%).
VA 4-Year
Fall 2017–Fall 2021
Race/Ethnicity Comparison with Va Public 4-YEar
At public, four-year institutions in Virginia, fall headcount enrollment of first-time in college students decreased among White students. Enrollment at four-year institutions increased for students of most other races and ethnicities except students who did not specify a race, among whom enrollment decreased by 1,218 students (51.2%). Enrollment among American Indian/Native American students increased by six students (14.0%).
Fall 2017–Fall 2021
VA 4-Year
About Data Spotlight
Data Spotlight, a publication of NOVA’s Office of Strategic Insights, is a quarterly newsletter that makes institutional research easy to understand by presenting data regarding NOVA’s student achievement criteria, key performance indicators, regional labor market, and other important metrics in a visual format.
In addition to providing key insights into the College and its role in the Northern Virginia region, Data Spotlight puts NOVA’s institutional data in a national context. Through text and graphics, Data Spotlight tells the story behind the data to help faculty and staff support student access and success, as well as further NOVA’s Mission & Vision, Strategic Plan, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategic Plan.
NOVA’s Vision
To be a learning-centered organization that promotes student success.
NOVA’s Mission
With commitment to the principles of access, opportunity, student success, and excellence, the mission of Northern Virginia Community College is to deliver world-class, in-person and online postsecondary teaching, learning, and workforce development to ensure our region and the Commonwealth of Virginia have an educated population and a globally competitive workforce.
Citations
- Brock, T., & Diwa, C. (2021). Catastrophe or catalyst? Reflections on COVID’s impact on community colleges. Journal of Postsecondary Student Success 1(2): 2-17. Retrieved from https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/publications/catastrophe-catalyst-covid-impact-community-colleges.html; Juskiewicz, J. (2020). Trends in community college enrollment and completion data 6. American Association of Community Colleges. Retrieved from https://www.aacc.nche.edu/2020/08/05/trends-in-community-college-enrollment-and-completion-data-issue-6/
- Enrollment of first-time undergraduates by residence. National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/summarytables. Includes international students. Fall 2021 data are not yet available.
- Report E02: Fall headcount enrollment. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Retrieved from https://research.schev.edu/enrollment/E2_Report.asp. SCHEV FTIC data for NOVA and VCCS do not include current dual enrollment students. Data for all students and by gender (this page) include international students.
- Headcount student: A student enrolled for more than zero credit hours in courses offered for degree or certificate credit, or a student who meets the criteria for classification as a remedial student. Source: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
- Brock, T., & Diwa, C. (2021). Catastrophe or catalyst? Reflections on COVID’s impact on community colleges. Journal of Postsecondary Student Success 1(2): 2-17. Retrieved from https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/publications/catastrophe-catalyst-covid-impact-community-colleges.html; Juskiewicz, J. (2020). Trends in community college enrollment and completion data 6. American Association of Community Colleges. Retrieved from https://www.aacc.nche.edu/2020/08/05/trends-in-community-college-enrollment-and-completion-data-issue-6/
- Enrollment of first-time undergraduates by residence. National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/summarytables. Includes international students. Fall 2021 data are not yet available.
- Report E02: Fall headcount enrollment. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Retrieved from https://research.schev.edu/enrollment/E2_Report.asp. SCHEV FTIC data for NOVA and VCCS do not include current dual enrollment students. Data for all students and by gender (this page) include international students.
- Headcount student: A student enrolled for more than zero credit hours in courses offered for degree or certificate credit, or a student who meets the criteria for classification as a remedial student. Source: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
About Data Spotlight
Data Spotlight, a publication of NOVA’s Office of Strategic Insights, is a quarterly newsletter that makes institutional research easy to understand by presenting data regarding NOVA’s student achievement criteria, key performance indicators, regional labor market, and other important metrics in a visual format.
In addition to providing key insights into the College and its role in the Northern Virginia region, Data Spotlight puts NOVA’s institutional data in a national context. Through text and graphics, Data Spotlight tells the story behind the data to help faculty and staff support student access and success, as well as further NOVA’s Mission & Vision, Strategic Plan, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategic Plan.
NOVA’s Vision
To be a learning-centered organization that promotes student success.
NOVA’s Mission
With commitment to the principles of access, opportunity, student success, and excellence, the mission of Northern Virginia Community College is to deliver world-class, in-person and online postsecondary teaching, learning, and workforce development to ensure our region and the Commonwealth of Virginia have an educated population and a globally competitive workforce.
Citations
- Brock, T., & Diwa, C. (2021). Catastrophe or catalyst? Reflections on COVID’s impact on community colleges. Journal of Postsecondary Student Success 1(2): 2-17. Retrieved from https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/publications/catastrophe-catalyst-covid-impact-community-colleges.html; Juskiewicz, J. (2020). Trends in community college enrollment and completion data 6. American Association of Community Colleges. Retrieved from https://www.aacc.nche.edu/2020/08/05/trends-in-community-college-enrollment-and-completion-data-issue-6/
- Enrollment of first-time undergraduates by residence. National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/summarytables. Includes international students. Fall 2021 data are not yet available.
- Report E02: Fall headcount enrollment. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Retrieved from https://research.schev.edu/enrollment/E2_Report.asp. SCHEV FTIC data for NOVA and VCCS do not include current dual enrollment students. Data for all students and by gender (this page) include international students.
- Headcount student: A student enrolled for more than zero credit hours in courses offered for degree or certificate credit, or a student who meets the criteria for classification as a remedial student. Source: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
