News

UA - Pulaski Tech sees 7+% Fall 2024 enrollment uptick

University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC) began the fall 2024 semester with a 7.4% increase in enrollment. Enrollment headcount for the first 8-week term and the full 16-week term is 4,480. Classes started Aug. 19, and UA-PTC’s official enrollment data from the 11th day of class will be released to the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.

Additionally, the second 8-week term remains open for enrollment, but currently has another 122 students enrolled. Additional new students have the opportunity to be admitted and enrolled in the second 8-week term up to October 16.

After all of the second 8-week students are included in UA-PTC’s enrollment, the percentage increase over the Fall 2023 semester is expected to increase to approximately 9% or more.

Overall, UA-PTC has received 6,174 admissions applications for Fall 2024, compared to 5,424 for the prior Fall 2023 semester. Of the 6,174 applications, 4,525 (73%) completed the process and were accepted to register for classes at this point in time.

Historically, UA-PTC’s enrollment has been 66% female and 33% male, with an average age of 26 and enrollment in over ten credit hours (three-quarter time) per student.

Approximately one-third of UA-PTC’s students enroll to earn technical certificates and degrees designed to facilitate direct entry into the workplace in fields such as nursing and advanced manufacturing. Two-thirds enroll in Associate of Arts or Associate of Science curricula designed to satisfy requirements of the first half of a four-year degree. These students may transfer to UA Little Rock, UA Fayetteville, or many other four-year institutions in Arkansas. Specifically, UA-PTC graduates who transfer to UA Fayetteville or UA Little Rock pay the same tuition as UA-PTC, which yields substantial savings for students.

“We are encouraged to see more students taking advantage of the value and academic excellence UA – Pulaski Tech offers this fall,” said Chancellor Summer DeProw. “In a time of full employment and rising costs in higher education, it is important that we demonstrate how UA-PTC offers a positive return on students’ investments. Whether they seek direct employment credentials or a two-year transfer degree, we offer an affordable path to an education that is both personally transformative for our graduates and valued in the workplace.”

“UA-PTC is truly an affordable option for both traditional and non-traditional students. It enables them to learn a skill set or work toward a degree that helps chart a new path in life that is a good fit for them and their family,” said Dr. John Lewis, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student life. “The increase in first-time entering students and returning students looking to upskill shows that UA-PTC is doing the right things to fulfill its mission.”

UA - Pulaski Tech’s enrollment includes students attending the college’s Main Campus in North Little Rock, Little Rock-South on Interstate 30, Aerospace Technology Center near the North Little Rock Airport, Business and Industry Center near the Little Rock Airport, online classes, and high school students taking concurrent college classes.