Black River Technical College (BRTC) is celebrating its largest enrollment increase in over three decades, with preliminary figures showing a 29% rise in student enrollment for the fall 2026 semester compared to the previous year.

“This tremendous enrollment growth reflects the hard work of our faculty and staff, strong partnerships with area high schools, and the opportunities created by the ACCESS Act,” said Jason Smith, BRTC Vice President of Student Affairs, in a statement.

Passed during the most recent session of the Arkansas General Assembly, the ACCESS Act has expanded opportunities for high school students across the state to earn college credit. Smith emphasized the Act’s focus on career-oriented education, saying, “Our faculty and staff deserve tremendous credit. They have worked incredibly hard to build strong relationships with our high school partners and turn the opportunities created by ACCESS into meaningful pathways for students across our region.”

Despite the excitement surrounding the increase, BRTC officials cautioned against relying too heavily on high school enrollment as a foundation for budgeting. BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger explained that decisions about partnering colleges are made by high schools and can vary based on costs, available offerings, and other factors. “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,” Eggensperger said.

Colleges nationwide have faced declining enrollment since 2010 due to a shrinking college-age population, rising tuition concerns, and strong job markets. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the decrease in college attendance. Many institutions across Arkansas, including BRTC, have experienced similar challenges and are working in collaboration with high schools and the state to reverse the trend.

For more information about Black River Technical College and its programs, visit https://www.blackrivertech.edu/.