Enrollment is rising at a record-setting pace at Maricopa Community Colleges.

Following 11 consecutive semesters of enrollment gains, the system is now experiencing double-digit growth heading into the fall 2025 semester, according to a recent press release. The growth aligns with nationwide trends — with two-year institutions reporting a 6% increase in enrollment during the fall 2024 semester — outpacing both public four-year and private nonprofit institutions.

“Community colleges have a reputation for creating accessible pathways to higher education, so it’s no surprise that we are seeing enrollment growth,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges. “Often, the issue isn’t that students don’t want to pursue a postsecondary education; it’s whether they can afford to go to college.” 

The 10-college system serves more than 140,000 students annually and educates more Arizona residents than any other college or university in the state, according to the release, which also said recent enrollment growth has been driven by career-focused bachelor’s degrees, a growing dual enrollment population and a wide range of workforce-aligned programs.

Bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields continue to attract MCC learners, with more than 6,700 students currently enrolled across 11 programs. This fall, new offerings in fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning, along with two business-focused tracks in accounting and management, will hold their first classes. The three new offerings have already drawn interest from more than 1,000 students. 

The number of dual enrollment students at community colleges has steadily risen over the past decade — increasing 46% from 2015 to 2021, and jumping another 18% from 2021 to 2023, the release continued. During the fall 2024 semester, more than 25,800 students participated in one of Maricopa Community Colleges' early college programs.

Utilizing targeted campaigns, the system has enrolled more than 3,800 recent dual enrollment graduates for fall classes. 

This fall will mark the MCC system’s 12th consecutive semester of enrollment growth, driven largely by first-time college students, according to the release.

For more information on Maricopa Community College, its campuses and programs, visit maricopa.edu.