For Immediate Release – February 24, 2026
Lake Land College sees Highest Spring Enrollment in Many Years
Spring enrollment at Lake Land College reached its highest level in many years, according to the College’s official Spring 2026 10th Day Enrollment Report presented to the board of trustees during the regular February meeting. The report also reflects national enrollment trends and spotlights areas of strategic growth under the College’s new strategic plan, Education that Fits Your Life.
According to the report, Lake Land’s Spring enrollment increased by 2% compared to the previous Spring, reaching a total of 3,990 students. The number also represents the highest Spring headcount at the College since 2020.
Full Time Equivalency (FTE) also saw an increase of 1.8% over the previous year, reaching a total of 2,478.2 to become Lake Land’s highest Spring FTE since 2021. FTE is a standard metric that represents total full-time enrollment hours and is calculated by dividing the total number of enrolled credit hours by the conventional full-time load of 15 credit hours.
“The consistent growth we’re seeing year over year in our enrollment reinforces that Lake Land College continues to shine as a beacon of opportunity, career advancement and social mobility for students of all ages throughout our district,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “We’re honored that so many students see Lake Land fitting into their lives and their future career goals.
Lake Land continues to be a top college destination for both transfer and career-ready programs, as evidenced in the 10th Day Report. Spring 2026 enrollment across all transfer programs, which are designed for students to continue their studies at four-year universities, reached a total of 817 students, a 3.3% increase over the previous year. One key transfer major, the associate in arts degree, saw an enrollment increase of 8.6% over the previous year.
Programs designed for immediate post-graduation employment, as well as those designed to support experienced working students, also saw notable growth. Spring 2026 enrollment for Career and Technical (CTE) programs reached 1,368 students, an increase of 8.1% over the previous year and the highest CTE enrollment in years. Additionally, enrollment in the associate in liberal studies program, a flexible option that gives students the ability to apply previously earned credit or prior work experience toward degree completion, increased by 32.3%.
The enrollment increases in these programs align with nationwide academic trends, which track an increased demand for short-term, practical career-training options. In addition to the growth in the CTE and liberal studies programs, part-time enrollment saw a significant increase in the 10th Day Report, with a total of 2,363 students enrolled under part-time status. This number reflects an increase of 5.4% over the previous Spring and represents the highest part-time enrollment at the College in many years. Part time enrollment includes all students enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours for the Spring 2026 semester.
The increases in CTE and part-time enrollment coincide with the development of Lake Land’s new strategic plan, Education that Fits Your Life. Launched in 2025, the new strategic plan places a concerted emphasis on serving the unique needs of the modern student, including reducing barriers to education and offering flexible programs suited for students with busy work and personal commitments.
“As we continue to implement the Education that Fits Your Life strategic plan, we are encouraged to see this enrollment report reflect our continued investments to ensure that a Lake Land College education is accessible to students of all backgrounds and stages of life,” Bullock added.
Additional highlights from the report include substantial growth among high school students through the College’s new Laker Connect Dual Credit Program. Developed in 2025 to revamp the connection between Lake Land College and district high schools, the Laker Connect program has helped pave the way for the highest Spring dual credit enrollment in many years, with the 1,457 dual credit students enrolled for Spring 2026 representing an increase of 4.1% over the previous year.
The 10th Day Report also spotlights the substantial impact of the Effingham Technology Center, Lake Land’s latest state-of-the-art facility, with 155 students enrolled for Spring classes at the new building. Opened in Fall 2025, the Effingham Technology Center offers a wide variety of general education classes and exclusive program options, and as evidenced in the 10th Day Report, is increasing academic reach and opportunity throughout Lake Land’s district. Effingham County Spring 2026 enrollment surpassed last year’s total by 7.6% to reach a total of 930 students, the highest number of students enrolled in the region in many years.
“Enrollment is truly a district-wide effort, and we are grateful for everyone, from our faculty and staff to our partners throughout the community, who have contributed their time and effort into making Lake Land College a place where students find support, direction and belonging,” Bullock said. “This positive enrollment report is a cause to celebrate, but it is also a cause for reflection, a powerful reminder of the direct impact we have on so many lives and the responsibility we hold to prepare them for successful futures.”
The 10th-day enrollment report is a standard report among the higher education community that captures opening enrollment data each semester.
