Blinn College has attracted a record number of students from across the state for the second consecutive year, the College announced today.
Fueled by strong growth on its Bryan campus and in its online course offerings, Blinn registered 19,317 students for the Fall 2014 semester, an increase of 4.9 percent over last year and the highest total in the College’s 131-year history. Since 2006, Blinn’s enrollment has increased 37.5 percent.
According to the Texas Association of Community Colleges, two-year college enrollment is down slightly statewide.
Overall contact hours – the number of hours students spend with their instructors – increased 2.7 percent to 3,626,080. State funding is based on contact hours and student success milestones.
The Bryan campus saw a 6.4 percent increase with 13,587 students – 816 more than last year. The College is also seeing increased demand for its online courses, with 1,267 students electing to take courses through Blinn’s Distance Learning Program. That program has seen a 24.3 percent increase since last Fall.
Earlier this year, Dallas-based architectural design and planning firm BOKA Powell projected that Blinn’s Brazos County campuses could see enrollment exceed 15,000 by 2017 and approach 20,000 by 2025.
Those growth projections were based upon Blinn’s strong academic reputation and its partnerships with Texas A&M, Sam Houston State and Texas State universities, and the universities of Texas and Houston. The Blinn TEAM (Transfer Enrollment at A&M) Program allows selected applicants to Texas A&M’s freshman class a unique co-enrollment opportunity with the chance to earn full Texas A&M admission. The first of its kind between a major university and a community college, the initiative received the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Recognition of Excellence.
This Fall, 1,091 students enrolled in the TEAM Program, while another 227 participated in the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn.
The growth of Bryan-College Station and development of the Research Valley were cited as key factors in Blinn’s projected growth, even as the College has proven unique among community colleges in attracting students from across the state. Blinn students came from 1,533 zip codes in Fall 2013, drawing significant numbers from Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth.
With Blinn’s growth comes the opportunity to make an even greater impact in the community. A study released earlier this year revealed that Blinn makes a $345.3 million annual impact on the local economy, including $247. 4 million each year in Bryan-College Station. That marks a 21.7 percent greater impact than a similar study conducted in 2010.
| Fall 2014 | Fall 2013 | % Change | |
| Bryan | 13,587 | 12,771 | 6.4% |
| Brenham | 2,455 | 2,559 | -4.1% |
| Distance Learning | 1,267 | 1,019 | 24.3% |
| Schulenburg | 187 | 234 | -20.1% |
| Sealy | 133 | 151 | -11.9% |
| High Schools | 1,585 | 1,575 | 0.6% |
| TOTAL | 19,317 | 18,413 | 4.9% |
| Contact Hours | 3,626,080 | 3,532,448 | 2.7% |
About Blinn College
Founded in 1883, Blinn is a comprehensive community college committed to educational excellence and to individual and community enhancement. With an enrollment of 19,317 students, Blinn ranks among the nation’s leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for its affordable educational excellence.
As part of its commitment to student success, Blinn is implementing a Quality Enhancement Plan titled “Destination Success: First-Year Focus,” which utilizes learning communities to support first-year college students.
For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu.
