Is FVCC No. 4 or 5? It depends how you count students

By MONTANA ZIGLAR

FVCC is either the fourth or fifth largest postsecondary institution in Montana, depending on how enrollment is measured. However, the impact of growth on the college may be more important than rankings.

FVCC’s 2010 fall enrollment is 2,539, while the community college's rival for the fourth spot, Montana Tech, has 2,304 students. But the Montana University System calculates enrollment based on the equivalent of full-time students. Based on this calculation Tech has 2,192 students, or full-time equivalents, while FVCC, with a larger part-time population, has 1,870 students.

FVCC President Jane Karas said she is pleased the college continues to grow, but the dramatic rate of that growth presents challenges to FVCC's core mission.

“In the future we hope to see a steady increase in enrollment but not a 33 percent increase every year,” Karas said. “We wouldn’t be able to provide quality education.”

According to Montana University System enrollment records, FVCC has grown 75 percent since 2000, including a 33 percent increase in just the last year. The only school to see a larger rate of growth in recent years is the College of Technology in Billings, which added a new technology program in 2008.

“The economy has a lot to do with our heightened enrollment,” said Brad Eldredge, FVCC executive director of institutional research, assessment and planning. “As workers get laid off they go to school. Tuition differences between four-year universities and community colleges are another big reason.”

Just three years ago, FVCC was dealing with declining enrollment. In 2007 FVCC had the equivalent of 1,360 students. By 2009 that enrollment had grown to 2,076. This fall FVCC added another 463 students.

“The word is getting out that you can get a quality education at FVCC with an affordable cost,” Karas said. “Students understand that this is a great place to start and build a foundation.”

FVCC has grown faster than anticipated, but Karas said that it means more people are coming to college and investing in their education.

The University of Montana is the state’s largest post secondary institution with 11,637 full-time students. Montana State is second with 11,206. MSU-Billings is third with 3,254.

Montana Ziglar is a student in Journalism 101C, News Writing and Reporting.