Hudson County Community College has achieved a 7.9 percent enrollment growth for the Fall 2025 semester, reaching 8,211 students: The school’s highest enrollment number since Fall 2019.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The numbers speak for themselves. Our analysis consistently shows the impact of summer enrollment on persistence, and this fall’s re-enrollment growth is proof,” HCCC Associate Vice President for Institutional Research John Urgola.
“By letting the data inform our strategy, we’ve been able to design initiatives that both boost enrollment and contribute to student outcomes.”
The college also reported 7,013 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students and an enrollment of 84,157 total credits, representing a 5% year-over-year increase.
Additional highlights of the Fall 2025 enrollment period include a total of 5,344 continuing students, representing an increase of 10.8% from last fall.
Meanwhile, continuing full-time enrollment is up 10.4% from Fall 2024, while new student headcount increased to 2,887, a 2.9% year-over-year increase.
This increased enrollment comes at a time when many colleges around the nation are contending with decreased enrollment for a variety of reasons, including demographic changes and concerns about cost and affordability.
“The strong fall numbers underscore what we have long believed – when students are supported and engaged year-round, they persist and thrive,” added HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber.
HCCC’s work with Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit network dedicated to helping community college students succeed and achieve greater economic opportunities, has played a central and dynamic role in improving student retention while keeping more students on track for graduation.
HCCC has worked with coaches from the organization to create the award-winning Hudson Scholars Program.
Hudson Scholars combines proactive advising, mentoring, financial stipends, and early academic intervention to help students stay on track and reach the finish line of graduation.
Since its launch in 2021, the program has supported more than 5,000 students, nearly doubled the College’s three-year completion rate, and has become financially self-sustaining.
The college’s two-year completion rate has increased from “nearly zero” to 12% over the last several years. Hudson Scholars has also narrowed long-standing equity gaps for traditionally underrepresented students by as much as 70%.
The positive impact of HCCC’s work with Achieving the Dream and the Hudson Scholars Program is further evidenced by the fact that the College has achieved five consecutive record graduating classes.
The Hudson Scholars Program has achieved nationwide acclaim and earned prestigious awards including the 2024 National Bellwether Legacy Award, the 2023 National Bellwether Award for Instructional Programs and Services, and the League for Innovation in the Community College’s 2021-22 Innovation of the Year Award.
“Our Fall 2025 enrollment clearly demonstrates the impact that removing barriers and maintaining student momentum has on retention. Continuing students are enrolling at higher levels than ever before,” noted HCCC Dean of Enrollment Services Matthew Fessler.
