Anoka-Ramsey Community College has countered a statewide trend among community colleges, experiencing a modest 0.5 percent increase in student enrollment for Fall 2005. Minnesota’s community and technical colleges have seen, on average, a 0.3 percent downturn in enrollment this Fall, as compared to Fall 2004 enrollment.

Total headcount on Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s (ARCC’s) Coon Rapids and Cambridge campuses has increased from 7,200 in Fall 2004, to 7,236 in Fall 2005 (based on 30th-day enrollment figures).

Fall enrollments at ARCC have been rising steadily for several years. Between Fall 2002 and Fall 2005, student headcount has risen 10.8 percent (based on 30th day enrollments).

Anoka-Ramsey Community College continues to experience a rise in student enrollment. Total headcount for Fall 2005 is 7,236 on the Cambridge and Coon Rapids Campuses combined, a 0.5 percent increase over Fall 2004.

One factor for the rising headcount: ARCC continues to maintain the lowest cost of any public college or university in Minnesota, all while offering a wide range of high-quality, liberal-arts-transfer and career-focused academic programs.

ARCC’s current annual tuition and fees is $3,582 for Minnesota residents taking 30 semester credits. In comparison, within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, the average 2005-06 annual tuition and fees is $4,254.

“Good enrollments are an important part of keeping costs down for students," says ARCC Vice President for Administration Michael Seymour. "We’re pleased we can continue to offer high quality programs and services at such a great value.”

ARCC’s comprehensive educational offerings include:

• Two-year degrees, including Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, and Associate of Fine Arts
• Easy transfer to many four-year college degree programs in Minnesota and surrounding states
• Coursework for bachelor’s degree and graduate degree programs via partnerships with St. Cloud State University and Metropolitan State University
• Highly marketable career programs in nursing, business, computer science, computer networking and telecommunications, biomedical technology, geographic information systems, physical therapist assistant, pre-engineering and more
• One-year and 18-month certificate programs in several career-focused specialties
• A wide variety of on- and off-site continuing education and customized training programs for working professionals.

ABOUT ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, with campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids, has been a leading provider of higher education and training in East Central Minnesota since 1978 and the north suburban area of Minneapolis/St. Paul since 1965. Annually, the college serves more than 9,700 learners of all ages as they pursue associate degrees that transfer as the first two years of a bachelor's degree, or certificate programs that lead immediately to rewarding careers. Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.