Fall enrollment is up 3 percent at Maine’s community colleges, marking another historic high for the seven colleges. 

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) saw enrollment rise 5.8 percent this fall, with nearly 6,500 students enrolled. Growth at SMCC reflects flexible scheduling options designed to fit students’ busy lives, the ongoing success of Maine’s Free College Scholarship program, and expanded Early College opportunities that allow high school students to earn college credits while still in high school. SMCC has continued to focus on aligning programs with Maine’s workforce needs, ensuring that students are prepared for high-demand careers in industries such as health care, technology, construction, hospitality, and more. 

“This growth reflects the incredible work of our faculty and staff and the determination of our students. More Mainers are realizing that SMCC is a place where they can get a high-quality education, build confidence and launch rewarding careers without taking on debt. Our campus is thriving because students know they belong here and that we’re invested in their success,” said Kristen Miller, president of SMCC. 

“This sustained enrollment growth is critical at a time when Maine’s economy needs more skilled employees in a range of industries that we specifically target for high-quality, low-cost instruction — from construction to computer science. This ongoing demand is a sign that we are executing on our mission of providing an education that works for Mainers looking to find meaningful work and a better life,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System (MCCS). 

Significant initiatives at Maine’s community colleges in recent years have played a large role in continuing the system’s role as the state’s premier workforce training partner. 

Recent changes include new transfer agreements with the University of Maine System and six independent Maine colleges aimed at making the four-year college pathway more affordable and seamless; Free Community College scholarships that cover 100 percent of tuition for the high school graduating classes of 2020 through 2025; expanded instruction hours and new remote learning options; new certificate and degree programs to meet market demands; and academic initiatives that increase student success and improve the student experience. At the same time, the colleges serve as vibrant community centers with new housing options, new sports teams, and additional student events and activities. 

As of October 15, fall enrollment was 15,833 students, up 3 percent from 15,366 students on the same date last year. Tuition and fees for a full-time, in-state student are $4,156 a year — the lowest in New England. 

Starting this year, MCCS changed the way it reports fall enrollment to exclude Early College students, who are high school students taking community college courses at their high school or on a college campus. The new reporting method aligns MCCS with the University of Maine System, which began excluding Early College students from its enrollment reports several years ago. The change also ensures transparency in the makeup of Maine’s community college student body. 

Using the new model, fall enrollment at Maine’s community colleges has increased 20 percent since fall 2019, the last pre-COVID fall class, and 13 percent since 2017. 

Although official fall enrollment figures capture only degree-seeking students, MCCS has also significantly expanded short-term workforce training programs that take less than a year to complete and are generally free for students. These short-term programs are coordinated by the system’s Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce. Since 2022, 45,000 people have enrolled in those programs, which focus on quickly and efficiently acquiring a particular skill — such as basic construction in 10 weeks, a three-week welding course with a weekly $500 stipend, or a compact nine-month option for a medical assisting program. 

MCCS is on track to train more than 100,000 students in short-term workforce training programs by 2030, the result of a historic five-year grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation. Graduates of the short-term programs are eligible for scholarships toward a degree or certificate program. 

Southern Maine Community College is Maine's largest and oldest community college. Founded in 1946, SMCC offers courses at its South Portland and Brunswick campuses, at community satellite locations and online. SMCC has among the lowest tuition and fees in New England and offers more than 40-degree programs.