Stephanie Setter, Director | LinkedIn
Stephanie Setter, Director | LinkedIn
Of the seven institutions in the county, two provided detailed enrollment data at the time, including Cornell College and Mount Mercy University.
At least 4,626 people applied to Linn County colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 16,492 students enrolled in the universities, including 16,222 in undergraduate and 270 in graduate programs. Only 3.1% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (69.3%) and Black or African American (9.6%) students.
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, Kirkwood Community College stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 12,406 students.
U.S. college enrollment has been in a downward trend since peaking at around 18.1 million students in 2010. Recent increases offered some relief, but experts project a steeper decline in 2025.
This decline is likely due to two main factors. First, the pool of young adults is shrinking as birth rates have fallen nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. Second, the rising cost of higher education, including skyrocketing student loan debt. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report shows that more than half of Americans think a four-year degree is not worth the cost.
Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals which do not equal 100%.
| Institution | # of Applicants | # of Admitted Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy-St Luke's School of Radiologic Technology | -- | -- | 22 |
| La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology | -- | -- | 59 |
| Coe College | -- | -- | 1,264 |
| Cornell College | 3,057 | 2,415 | 1,073 |
| Capri College-Cedar Rapids | -- | -- | 142 |
| Mount Mercy University | 1,569 | 1,177 | 1,526 |
| Kirkwood Community College | -- | -- | 12,406 |
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