3+1= Enrollment Increase At RCBC, College Officials Say

Rowan College at Burlington County’s enrollment is up 5 percent this fall compared to last year, Burlington County Freeholder Linda Hughes and Rowan College at Burlington County Acting President Michael Cioce announced on Wednesday. It follows up on the enrollment increase the college saw last spring.

The college’s growth this fall is fueled largely by a 3 percent increase in new students, 6.1 percent increase in transfer students, 7 percent increase in full-time student and a 6.7 percent increase in students who remained at the college from the spring term.

“As Freeholder liaison to Rowan College at Burlington County, and a former RCBC trustee, it is extremely exciting to see the continued growth of the college. RCBC’s sustained enrollment increase is yet another opportunity to celebrate the successful partnership of the Burlington County Freeholder Board and the College,” Hughes said. “RCBC is a national example of how a college can transform itself and grow at a time when most colleges in the country are experiencing declines.”

The college credits its 3+1 program, in which students remain at RCBC for their junior-year credits toward a Rowan University bachelor’s degree, with much of the success. There are more than 200 students taking junior-year courses as 3+1 students this term, with another 220 students who are committed to begin their courses in a future term. More than 400 additional students have expressed interest in the program, according to college officials. Rowan College at Burlington County is the only community college in this region of the country offering junior-year courses.

“Our innovative 3+1 program at RCBC that we established last year is clearly having an immediate impact in our county and region; students can now earn a high-quality, four-year degree for $25,000, less than what many colleges charge for a single year. In a time when college is becoming less and less affordable for middle-class families, our 3+1 program is literally putting higher education within the reach of thousands of more Burlington County students and their families,” Hughes said

“We want to earn the reputation for being a student’s top choice, and these enrollment data show we have become the best option for many students, thanks to initiatives such as 3+1 and the improved campus experience in Mount Laurel,” Cioce said. “We are very humbled by every student who chooses Rowan College at Burlington County. We’re so thrilled that so many believe in the direction of our college and I congratulate them on their pursuit of high-quality and affordable education.”

The attached image was provided by Rowan College at Burlington County