December 1, 2025- Richland Community College is reporting enrollment gains for the Fall 2025 semester that outpace statewide trends, according to new data from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).
The ICCB’s Fall 2025 Opening Enrollment Report shows a 3.7% enrollment increase across Illinois community colleges. Richland reported nearly double that rate, with an almost 7% rise compared to Fall 2024. The college’s official Fall 2025 headcount is 2,552 students, most of whom are enrolled part-time.
Of these students, more than 1,500 are pursuing associate degrees with plans to transfer to four-year institutions. An additional 560-plus students are enrolled in career and technical education programs designed to prepare them to enter the workforce directly after graduation.
The college attributes its growth to outreach initiatives and expanded community partnerships launched over the past several years. Since Fall 2021, Richland’s total student population has increased by 13.3%.
A major contributor to the rise is the growth of dual credit enrollment. Richland now has 966 high school students taking college-level courses, marking a more than 50% increase in dual credit participation since Fall 2021. According to the college, dual credit and dual enrollment expansion haschools and families. Dr. Cristobal Valdez, President of Richland Community College, noted that the programs also reduce educational costs for families and contribute to local workforce development.
