Rogue Community College is reporting a significant boost in enrollment, with students coming to RCC at a much higher rate than they are to most community colleges in Oregon, according to a news release from the college.

RCC’s student population grew from 8,366 in the 2022-23 academic year to 9,280 this year, with a nearly 19% increase in full-time-equivalent enrollment, the release said.

The enrollment increase positions RCC as one of the fastest-growing colleges in the state, with other community colleges reporting a 5.7% average increase in registration, the release said.

RCC has its main Redwood campus in Grants Pass and also operates the shared SOU-RCC building in downtown Medford, and the Table Rock campus in White City. 

“We are witnessing a strong comeback from the pandemic, with overall enrollment numbers nearing pre-pandemic levels,” RCC President Randy Weber said in the release. “Career and workforce program enrollments are reaching all-time highs.”

The college intends to bring a new automotive program to its White City campus if voters approve a $60.3-million bond measure on Jackson and Josephine counties’ November ballots.

RCC’s success helps the Rogue Valley’s economy, the release said. The college reports that independent market analytics firm Lightcast found RCC contributes $306.5 million annually to the economy, according to numbers from the 2021-22 academic year, the release said.

Registration for the fall term, which begins Sept. 30, continues. See roguecc.edu/ for more details.