POCAHONTAS, Ark. – Black River Technical College (BRTC) is experiencing its largest fall enrollment growth in more than 30 years, with a 29% increase compared to last year, according to officials at the institution.
College leaders attribute the surge to dedicated efforts by faculty and staff, as well as partnerships with local high schools and opportunities created by Arkansas’ ACCESS Act, which aims to expand access to higher education for high school students.
While the gain is significant, BRTC cautioned that such figures can be volatile due to the flexibility high schools have in selecting which college or university to partner with for concurrent, accelerated, and career or technical education programs. Many of these programs cater to high school students, whose tuition rates are typically lower than those of traditional college students.
“Colleges have to be careful when basing our budgets upon high school enrollment,” said Martin Eggensperger, BRTC president. “Although high school enrollment is becoming a greater factor in undergraduate college enrollment growth and/or decline, high school student tuition is most commonly paid at a significantly lower rate than traditional tuition.”
The enrollment increase comes during a challenging period for higher education nationally. Following a peak in 2010, college enrollment across the United States has declined due to a shrinking college-age population, rising concerns over increasing tuition costs, and strong job markets. These trends were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a sharp drop in college-going rates.
Like many institutions in Arkansas, BRTC has worked to reverse this trend by strengthening its relationships with high schools and leveraging state-supported initiatives. College officials see the enrollment growth as a positive step but recognize the importance of maintaining flexibility in planning for future changes.
Black River Technical College serves the northeast Arkansas region through its campuses in Pocahontas and Paragould, offering two-year degree programs, technical certifications, and workforce training.