The number of students enrolling at Maine’s community colleges continues to climb, fueled by a weak job market.
Spring semester enrollment for the entire Maine Community College System increased 15.4% compared with the same semester last year, a jump of nearly 2,000 students, according to MaineToday Media. Total enrollment is 14,936. All seven community colleges saw a rise in enrollment, and York County Community College saw the biggest gain with a 44% jump, for a total of 1,352 students. Northern Maine Community College and Southern Maine Community College each saw a 15% rise, bringing their student totals to 1,052 and 5,583, respectively.
MCCS officials said the tough economy and high unemployment rates are driving more people to the classroom.