Fall 2002 Enrollment Analysis
(As of
Census)
ECC Summary
As of census, 1,064 students were enrolled at ECC. This was a significant increase of 62% (+405) over the previous fall 2001 semester. Total FTES also increased from the previous year, but at a higher rate of 74% (253 in fall 2002 vs. 145 in fall 2001), suggesting that students enrolled in more courses. This observation is supported by a 66% increase in the number of students enrolled full-time (98 in fall 2002 vs. 59 in fall 2001).
Further examination of the student population showed that 60% were continuing students, 17% were new to ECC (first-time freshmen, 9%; first-time transfer, 8%), 19% were students who left the college for more than a year and returned, 7% were current high school students, and 1% were unknown. Furthermore, the percentage of first-time (freshmen and transfer) and returning students increased from the previous year by as much as 4 percent points.
New student enrollment by college service area[1] was also analyzed in order to identify any shifts in the enrollment pattern across service areas. Since the courses offered at ECC are administered by City College, it was not surprising to see a significant increase in the number of first-time freshmen and transfers from the area serving City College. Furthermore, there was an increase in the number of new students from the areas outside of the district and the area serving Mesa College (first-time transfers).
Enrollment changes across various demographic variables were also analyzed. The results showed a notable increase in the proportion of students that were male, white, between the ages of 18 and 39, married, had no dependents, or were intending to transfer.
Analysis of fall-to-fall persistence among first-time freshmen was also conducted. The results showed a sharp decline in the one-year persistence rate. Of the 41 first-time freshmen enrolled at ECC in fall 2001, only 15% returned in fall 2002 as compared to the 34% rate observed in the previous year.
Finally, enrollment changes by subject area were analyzed. Only subject areas with 100 or more enrollments were included in the analysis. The subject areas with the largest change in student enrollment from fall 2001 to fall 2002 were: (1) Spanish, (2) real estate, (3) mathematics, (4) psychology, (5) child development, and (6) English.
In summary, analysis of the fall 2002 enrollment (as of census) at ECC showed a notable 62% increase in student enrollment from the previous fall semester (fall 2001). Furthermore, the data showed increases in the number of students who were male, white, between the ages of 18 and 39, married, had no dependents, and had a goal of transferring. Of the first-time freshmen enrolled last fall (2001) only 15% returned this fall (2002). This was a sharp decline from the one-year persistence rate among first-time freshmen a year earlier.
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.