Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Michigan Community Colleges See Decline in Summer Enrollment

  • By Yvonne Marquez
  • 04/20/20

Michigan community colleges are seeing a decline in summer enrollment, an indication of what’s to come in the fall, reports the Detroit Free Press.

Summer sessions begin as early as the first week in May with many following at the end of May.  

As an example of what the state’s 28 community colleges are facing, the Detroit Free Press looked at Washtenaw Community College. WCC will begin their summer term on May 8 with all classes online only. On March 12, WCC saw a 11% decrease in registration for summer classes compared to the same time last year. On April 3, after the college announced it would be online only, registrations were down 36.5% from last year’s number. By April 15, enrollment was down by 26% overall.

The hardest hit programs by the enrollment drop are geared toward a skilled trade like culinary or welding, which are difficult to teach online. Some of those classes have been canceled.

WCC is projected to lose nearly $2 million from this fiscal year from summer tuition revenue. The school is also anticipating loses from state aid.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Photo courtesy of Kraus-Anderson

    Minnesota District Completes $49.7M Addition, Renovation Project

    St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $49.7-million addition and remodeling project at two district schools, according to a news release.

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.