Growth in higher education enrollment seen this fall

"We know that community colleges will play an increasingly vital role in helping the state meet its higher education goals," said Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes (pictured).

Overall, 1,225,817 students statewide are attending classes this fall. But community colleges enroll 48 percent of those students and public universities enroll 41 percent, according to the preliminary numbers. Until the middle 1990s, the reverse was true, with more students attending a public university.

The rising tuition costs is forcing more students to chose community colleges over public universities, said Millicent Valek, chair of the Texas Association of Community Colleges and president of Brazosport College.

"Many families in Texas are finding that they cannot afford to send their children to universities," Valek said. "The numbers speak for themselves. More students are starting out their educations at community colleges."

To view the coordinating board's preliminary enrollment report click here