From OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Owens Community College marked key milestones for spring semester as enrollment increased 3% to 7,616 students, including welcoming the inaugural Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) cohort.
At the 14th-day census headcount date of Jan. 26, the spring 2026 total surpassed spring 2025 enrollment of 7,396 students and marked the sixth consecutive semester of overall enrollment growth. Owens will continue to enroll students throughout the semester for classes that begin at different start dates.
The first BSN cohort includes 10 students, who will take their classes online and complete a bachelor’s degree in December 2026. The BSN is the first bachelor’s degree offered in Owens history. The next BSN cohort will begin later in 2026.
Owens remains a provider of accessible, affordable, high-quality education, offering flexible options for university transfer and career credentials, according to Dr. Blake Renner, vice president of enrollment management and student affairs.
“We’re hearing from more and more students that we’re their first choice,” said Renner. “We’re meeting the needs of all learners at every stage of their journey.”
New student enrollment experienced an increase for the fourth consecutive academic year after 740 new students enrolled for spring 2026, bringing the 2025-26 new student count to 3,072, a 13.7% increase over the 2024-25 total of 2,702.
In the continuing student category, the spring 2026 total jumped 7% to 3,747, compared to 3,502 in spring 2025.
“For several years, we’ve been talking about all of our new students enrolling at Owens and the difference they will make in enrollment as they persist toward their educational goals,” Renner said. “Our new students and continuing students are supported and valued, from working with the student services staff to engaging with faculty in the classroom. This support allows them to take the next step, either directly into the workforce or transferring to a university partner.”
Owens students choose from more than 160 career-focused and transfer-ready programs. Among the top 10 enrolled programs this spring, healthcare and transfer pathways continue to drive student interest. Registered nursing leads all programs with 515 students, reflecting sustained demand for healthcare professionals. Transfer-focused programs also remain strong, including Business Transfer Pathway, 160 students; Social Work Transfer Pathway, 104 students; Education Transfer, 95 students; Psychology Transfer Pathway, 92 students; General Science Concentration, 80 students; and Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway, 72 students; underscoring students’ continued pursuit of bachelor’s degrees. Career and technical programs such as Business Management Technology, 122 students; Electrical Major, 74 students; and Accounting Technology, 73 students, round out the list, highlighting Owens’ broad role in preparing students for both university transfer and in-demand careers.
Over the past decade, nearly 10,000 Owens students have successfully transferred and earned a bachelor’s degree, reflecting the college’s academic foundation and university partnerships.
“Our role in the higher education ecosystem remains essential,” said Renner. “We provide students with a clear pathway forward. These transfer students gain confidence at Owens, determine their direction, and with a strong academic foundation, move on to what’s next.”
Renner also noted College Credit Plus (CCP) enrollment growth to 1,774 students this semester, up 2.9% from 1,724 in spring 2025. CCP students take college classes while still in high school.
For more information about Owens Community College programs and classes, visit www.owens.edu.
