![](https://i0.wp.com/bladenonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Bladen_CC_logos_BCC-vert-3435-logo-tag-300x150-e1589897344957.png?fit=200%2C100&ssl=1)
For the first time in nine years, community colleges across the state collectively saw a significant increase in enrollment last fall. Enrollment throughout the N.C. Community College System jumped 4.4% in fall of 2019, the system’s first increase in nearly a decade. About 53 of the 58 state’s community colleges reported increases.
The largest growth was in short-term workforce education, which saw a 9.4% increase. Enrollment in traditional academic programs rose 3.8%.
Community colleges in southeastern North Carolina showed the following increases: Bladen 5.1, Cape Fear (New Hanover), 4.9, Brunswick 6.4, Sampson 5.4 and Southeastern Community College (Columbus) 5.8.