Video: Enrollment up at community colleges

Compare one hundred dollars a credit hour at a community college to 2 to 3 times that at other in-state universities, some community colleges may be helpful for those looking to cut costs.

Graphic Design major Kerri Nichols is one of 35-hundred students taking advantage of a cheaper education at Lawson State Community College.

Graphic Design Major Kerri Nichols said, “I really do hope to be responsible for campaigns because advertising does change the way people see the world.“

In fact, Lawson State’s enrollment is up double digits over the same time last year.

Nichols said, “For what I have to pay to go to school, I have money left over from my scholarship to pay for gas and food.“

Lawson State Assoc Dean Charles Murray said, “I’ve been with the college 25 years and it, probably only the first time, we’ve had that kind of increase.“

Lawson’s vocation tech programs have always been popular and in high demand for students in welding and the automotive industries.  But traditional students with limited funds are starting to realize they can take two years of general ed classes here and still graduate from a four year university.  That’s because all credit from Alabama community colleges transfers to Alabama’s four year universities.

Murray said, “And so we always see increased enrollment during a downturn in the economy like we have right now.“

As for Nichols, she looks forward to graduating in December and getting started on her career.

Nichols said, “But I really like to do the artwork, it’s stressful but it’s extremely rewarding especially to see your creations out on billboards, signs, and i really look forward to that.“

Adding both credit and non-credit programs, Lawson State has about 7500 students on it’s two campus’ in Birmingham and Bessemer.