MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Community Colleges are leading the way with increased enrollment in higher education, and Marion Technical College is no exception. This fall semester, a record 3,488 students are attending Marion Tech, surpassing last spring’s record of 3,226 students. This marks a nearly 12% increase over Fall 2023 and a 23% increase over Fall 2022. Compared to Fall 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic reduced college enrollment nationwide, this is a 63% increase.
“Students and their families are savvy shoppers. They want a quality, affordable, convenient education that leads to well-paying careers or advancement. Marion Tech is the smart choice,” said Dr. Amy Adams, executive vice president of Planning, Advancement and Student Engagement at Marion Tech. “We serve a variety of local students who find Marion Tech the best way to get ahead without incurring debt.”
Marion Tech’s student body includes 1,894 middle and high school students earning college credit at no cost to them or their families through the College Credit Plus program. This has saved families millions of dollars in tuition. Some have earned one-year certificates or associate’s degrees before graduating from high school.
The college also serves 1,247 more traditional students, from recent high school graduates to working parents and grandparents who appreciate online options and evening classes. Additionally, the college serves 347 students in local prisons looking for skills to succeed after release.
“Time is money. Students can earn a short-term certificate in a few classes, a one-year certificate, an associate’s degree, or even three or four years of a bachelor’s degree in nursing. These programs focus on in-demand careers and provide a strong return on investment,” Dr. Adams added.
Marion Tech offers great value, with full-time tuition at just $6,000 a year – less than a fifth of the cost of tuition, room, and board at state universities or a fraction of the cost of a private university. Marion Tech also offers many Open Educational Resources, where high-quality materials are free to students, saving millions in book costs.
A Pell grant covers the entire cost of tuition at Marion Tech. There are also numerous grants, scholarships, and work-study programs to reduce the cost of tuition.
With several transfer partnerships, Marion Tech students can continue their education with two or even three years of their bachelor’s degree completed, reducing the cost by half or more. Many colleges also offer special scholarships and tuition discounts for Marion Tech graduates.
In addition, Marion Tech offers degrees leading directly to growing, well-paying fields, including physical therapist assistants, occupational therapy assistants, engineering techs, sonography, software developers, and cybersecurity professionals.
“With an investment of two years and $12,000, you can enter a field that pays more than $60,000. Some healthcare fields are also offering signing bonuses of $5,000 to $10,000 or more,” Dr. Adams said.
Fall classes started today. Shorter 8-week classes begin in October. For more information, visit mtc.edu, email enroll@mtc.edu, call (740) 389-4636, or schedule an appointment at visit.mtc.edu.