SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Western Nebraska Community College has seen a seven percent increase in its total enrollment for the Fall 2025 semester, reflecting continued institutional momentum and student demand across multiple program areas.

The Fall 2025 census report , presented at the October Board of Governors meeting, shows total enrollment at 1,688 students — a 7.6 percent increase from Fall 2024. The number of full-time students rose by 9.2 percent, while part-time enrollment rose by 6.5 percent.

Overall, student credit hours increases by 6.7 percent, and full-time equivalency (FTE) climbed 6.6 percent from the previous year.

"This is the culmination of all the hard work and dedication that our entire college has put in over the past year," WNCC President Greg Dart said. "I'm proud of our efforts and we are excited to see our numbers continue to grow, year after year."

A significant contributor to this year's increase is the free tuition for WNCC's dual credit program, CollegeNOW!. This fall, 729 students from Panhandle high schools are taking dual credit courses at WNCC, an 18.7 percent increase from last year, making up 43 percent of WNCC's student headcount. This is the largest dual credit cohort since 2011.

"By removing financial barriers, we've made it possible for more students to take advantage of our classes and get a head start on their higher education journey," Dart said.

The number of returning students also increased from the previous fall, with a spring-to-fall retention rate of 59 percent, and a 68 percent retention rate of students who took summer classes.

WNCC’s student body includes learners from all 13 counties in its service area. According to the report, 25.4 percent of students identify as Hispanic. The college also saw an 18.1 percent increase in online enrollment and continues to attract students from beyond the region, including 111 students from outside Nebraska and 78 international students.