Spring 2003 Enrollment Analysis ECC Summary
Headcount and FTES
A total of 791 students were enrolled at ECC in spring 2003. In comparison with spring 2002 (as of census), student enrollment increased by 32 students or 4.2%. Total FTES also increased by 90.5% over the previous year (192.10 in spring 2003 vs. 100.84 in spring 2002).
Demographics
Analysis of the total student population in spring 2003 showed that 61.1% were continuing students, 5.8% were first-time freshmen, 6.7% were first-time transfers, 15% were returning students (left the district for more than one year and returned in spring 2003), and 9.7% were current high school students. In comparison with spring 2002, the enrollment of first-time freshmen decreased by 24.6% in spring 2003; however, the enrollment of first-time transfers increased by 76.7%. Demographic distributions of other variables were also examined. Results showed that the following groups were slightly overrepresented: students who were under 18 and those who were 21 years of age, whites, males, students with no dependents, and those with intention to transfer. Additionally, African Americans were underrepresented in spring 2003.
New Student Enrollment by Service Area
New student enrollment by service area was analyzed and results showed that enrollment of first-time freshmen decreased from Mesa College service area as well as non-district service areas. Enrollment of first-time transfers increased from the district’s service areas.
Residency
In terms of residency status, 99% of all students were California residents. Out-of-state non-residents accounted for 0.5% of the total student population. There were virtually no international students enrolled at ECC during spring 2003.
Enrollment by Subject Area
Student enrollment change by subject area was also examined. Only subject areas with 50 or more students in spring 2003 were included in this analysis. The top five subject areas with the largest enrollment increases were: (1) Health Education, 43.9%; (2) Real Estate, 42.5%; (3) Physical Science, 34%; (4) Child Development, 19.8%; and (5) English, 9.2%. The top five subject areas with the largest enrollment decreases were: (1) Physical Education, -34.3%;
(2) Math, -21.8%; (3) Black Studies, -7.3%; (4) Spanish, -4.9%; (5) Psychology, -1.3%.
Persistence of First-Time Freshmen
Of the first-time freshmen who were enrolled at ECC in spring 2002 as of census (N=61), 30.1% persisted to spring 2003. This rate is slightly lower than the rate for spring 2002 (34.9% persisted from spring 2001 to spring 2002).
Slightly over 45% of the first-time freshmen who were enrolled at ECC in fall 2002 as of census (N=91) persisted to this spring, indicating a lower one-semester persistence rate than last year (58.7% persisted from fall 2001 to spring 2002).
In summary, analysis of census enrollment at ECC indicated a 4.2% enrollment increase and a 90.5% FTES increase in spring 2003 as compared to spring 2002; however, the enrollment of first-time freshman decreased by 2.2%. The spring-to-spring and fall-to-spring persistence rates of the first-time freshmen were compared with data from the previous year. Results showed slightly lower one-year and one-semester persistence rates than the comparable figures of spring 2002.