Spring 2004 Enrollment Analysis Mesa College Summary
Headcount and FTES
A total of 21,356 students were enrolled at Mesa College in spring 2004. In comparison with spring 2003 (23,376 as of census), student enrollment decreased by 2,020 students or 9%. Total FTES essentially remained the same (6,570.34 in spring 2004 vs. 6,508.53 in spring 2003). Please note that the spring 2004 FTES used in this analysis is projected.
Demographics
Analysis of the total student population in spring 2004 showed that 74% were continuing students, 4% were first-time freshmen, 12% were first-time transfers, 5% were returning students (left the district for more than one year and returned in spring 2004), and 2% were current high school students. Continuing students constituted a slightly higher percent (74%) of the total student population in spring 2004 than spring 2003 (70%). Demographic distributions of other variables were similar to spring 2003.
New Student Enrollment by Service Area
New student enrollment by service area was analyzed and results showed that there was an enrollment decrease from all college service areas.
Residency
In terms of residency status, 94% all students were California residents. Non-residents accounted for 6% of the total student population. Enrollment of non-resident students increased from spring 2003 (4%) to spring 2004 (6%).
Enrollment by Subject Area
Student enrollment change by subject area was also examined. Only subject areas with 100 or more students in spring 2004 were included in this analysis. The top five subject areas with the largest enrollment increases from spring 2003 to spring 2004 were: (1) Consumer Studies, 40%; (2) Geographic Information Systems, 30%; (3) Dental Assisting, 28%; (4) Personal Growth, 27%; and (5) Accounting, 12%. The top five subject areas with the largest enrollment decreases were: (1) Microsoft, -46%; (2) Animal Health Technology, -31%; (3) Education, -26%; (4) Travel, -25%; and (5) Medical Assisting, -23%.
Persistence of First-Time Freshmen
Of the first-time freshmen who were enrolled at the college in spring 2003 as of census (N=862), 34% persisted to spring 2004. This rate is slightly lower than the rate for spring 2003 (37% persisted from spring 2002 to spring 2003). The one-year persistence rate was also broken down by gender, ethnicity, and educational objective. Results showed that female freshmen had a higher persistence rate (36%) than males (32%). Asian freshmen persisted at a higher rate (42%) than other ethnic groups. Students who intended to obtain a two-year vocational degree without transferring (56%), and students who intended to obtain a BA without completing an AA (54%) persisted at higher rates than other groups.
Of the first-time freshmen who were enrolled at the college in fall 2003 as of census (N=1,599), 70% persisted to spring 2004. This rate is essentially the same as the rate for fall 2002 (69% persisted from fall 2002 to spring 2003). The one-semester persistence rate was also broken down by gender, ethnicity, and educational objective. Results showed that female freshmen had a slightly higher persistence rate (72%) than males (68%). Filipino freshmen (86%) persisted at higher rates than other ethnic groups. Students who attended college for educational development (75%), and students who intended to obtain a BA after completing an AA persisted at higher rates than other groups.
In summary, analysis of census enrollment at Mesa College indicated a 9% enrollment decrease and FTES essentially remained the same in spring 2004 as compared to spring 2003. Results showed slightly lower spring-to-spring persistence rate, and a relatively unchanged fall-to-spring persistence rate than those of spring 2003. The spring-to-spring persistence rates of the first-time freshmen were compared with data from the previous year. Results showed there were some changes from the previous year. Female freshmen had a higher persistence rate than males, and Asian freshmen persisted at a higher rate than other groups.