Snow College is Growing

The third-week enrollment numbers for all colleges and universities were released today. There are no surprises in the two schools with the most growth. They are Utah Valley University (3.65%) and Dixie State College (4.52%)—soon also to become a University. These two schools are situated in growing counties and have seen significant change in their missions. UVU was a two-year college until 1993; Dixie was a two-year college until 2000. UVU recently became a university and both have been adding bachelor’s degrees at a fairly good pace.

Snow College is listed third behind UVU and Dixie for growth in full-time equivalent students (2.62%) followed by Utah State University (2.48%), the University of Utah (2.23%), and Weber State University (0.88%). Southern Utah University (-3.74%) and Salt Lake Community College (-4.29%) saw enrollment dips.

There are many factors that contribute to the enrollment changes for the various institutions. But it is worth pausing to note that Snow College, situated in the most remote and rural setting, offering no more than two-year degrees, is still a strong draw for students right out of high school. We see continual growth in students coming from across rural Utah, and also from the urban Wasatch Front.

It is typical during downturns in the economy for students to stay home, keep their jobs, and attend a college or university within driving distance of home. Snow College continues to buck this trend. It is primarily a residential college. 90% of our students make a decision to temporarily relocate to attend. The only other non-metropolitan institution in Utah is Southern Utah University, which dropped in enrollments this year.

Why do students continue to choose Snow College over more convenient colleges and universities? It is because of the wonderful opportunities at Snow College. It is because students are successful in reaching their academic goals here. I have mentioned data that support this claim in prior posts and I will continue to publish facts that tell the Snow College story.

Snow College is a Top 10 College

The Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence was announced at the first White House Community College Summit last October. Following October a national committee analyzed publicly available data on student outcomes at all two-year colleges in America (there are 1,200 of us). The committee considered three criteria: (1) student performance in retention, graduation and transfers; (2) improvement of completion performance over time; and (3) equity for disadvantaged students.

The committee recently announced that Snow College is among the top ten percent of all two-year colleges in America. We are the only College in Utah and one of only a few in the Intermountain West found in the top ranks. This honor is a recognition for which we did not apply. I just woke up one morning and found an email in my inbox with congratulations! Very fun.

This recognition for being in the top 10 percent is acknowledgment that our faculty and staff are really doing a great job. I have been telling people Snow College is one of the best two-year colleges in the West. Now I have proof.