Fall 2002 Enrollment Analysis
(As of
Census)
City College Summary
As of census, 14,322 students were enrolled at City College. This was an increase of 9% (+1,143) over the previous fall 2001 semester. Total FTES also increased from the previous year, but at a higher rate of 23% (4,294 in fall 2002 vs. 3,485 in fall 2001), suggesting that students enrolled in more courses. This observation is supported by a 15% increase in the number of students enrolled full-time (3,429 in fall 2002 vs. 2,988 in fall 2001).
Further examination of the student population showed that 63% were continuing students, 25% were new to the college (first-time freshmen, 11%; first-time transfer, 14%), 10% were students who left the college for more than a year and returned, 1% were current high school students, and another 1% were unknown. Compared to the previous year, these percentage distributions remained unchanged with the exception of a small (1%) increase of first-time transfer students.
New student enrollment by college service area[1] was examined in order to identify any shifts in the enrollment pattern across service areas. The results showed notable enrollment increases of first-time freshmen from outside of the college’s service area, particularly in the areas serving Mesa College and outside of the district altogether. In terms of first-time transfers, there was a significant enrollment increase from within the college’s service area as well the area serving Mesa College.
Enrollment changes across various demographic variables were also analyzed. The results showed a slight increase (not more than 2 percent points) in the proportion of students who were female, between the ages of 18 and 24, or had zero dependents. Otherwise, there were no significant demographic changes.
Enrollment analysis by resident status showed a proportional increase of non-resident students from 432 (3%) in fall 2001 to 605 (4%) in fall 2002. International students constituted 47% of the non-resident students. Furthermore, 31% of the international students were first-time freshmen. In contrast, only 11% of all students were first-time freshmen. Although the enrollment data show proportional increases of foreign non-resident students, the results should be viewed in light of the fact that non-resident students (international and domestic) make up a small proportion of the total population.
Analysis of fall-to-fall persistence among first-time freshmen was also conducted. Of the first-time freshmen enrolled at City College in fall 2001, 39% persisted to the current semester (fall 2002). This rate was slightly lower than the 42% rate in the previous year (fall 2001).
Persistence rates were also broken down by educational objective. The results indicated that first-time freshmen who intended to transfer persisted at a higher rate (47%) than those who were undecided (40%), seeking an associate degree (34%), seeking a certificate (31%), or students who indicated other educational objectives, e.g., career related, or basic skills (28%).
Finally, enrollment changes by subject area were analyzed. Only subject areas with 100 or more enrollments were included in the analysis. The top ten subject areas with the largest change in student enrollment from fall 2001 to fall 2002 were: (1) Arabic, (2) chemistry, (3) astronomy, (4) cosmetology, (5) humanities, (6) art-graphic design, (7) geology, (8) philosophy, (9) Chicano studies, and (10) French.
In summary, analysis of the fall 2002 enrollment (as of census) at City College showed a 9% increase in student enrollment from the previous fall semester (fall 2001). Furthermore, the data showed increases in the number of students who were non-resident, female, and younger (age 18-24). With regard to fall-to-fall persistence, 39% of the fall 2001 first-time freshmen returned in fall 2002. This rate was 2% points lower than the fall 2000 to fall 2001 persistence rate.
Note: Supporting data available upon request.
[1] The service areas for the three colleges are defined by their surrounding zip codes and reflect the general community served by the college.