Enrollment at Flathead Valley Community College is gradually returning to pre-pandemic numbers. 

There were about 3,409 total students registered at the community college for the 2025 academic year. An academic year encompasses the fall and spring semesters, and enrollment includes full-time and part-time students registered within a degree program in addition to high school students taking Running Start classes. 

During the 2020 academic year, total enrollment stood at 3,682 students. By the 2022 academic year, enrollment declined to 3,061 students. Since 2022, enrollment has been on an upward trajectory before reaching 3,409 students in the 2025 academic year. 

The growth follows a national trend which community colleges are helping drive, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. 

During that period, the percentage of high school students in the Running Start program increased from 25% in 2019 to 33% in the 2023 academic year, where it remained. The Running Start program is offered to high school juniors and seniors who want to take college-level courses and earn college credit. With the first six credits free, it gives students an affordable jumpstart on college, with many obtaining a two-year degree by graduation. 

Despite a decrease of 621 students during the pandemic, Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas said higher education institutions have more flexibility to accommodate enrollment fluctuations as opposed to K-12 level. While community college enrollment fluctuates yearly, a change of that many students was uncommon. 

“We certainly look at the fiscal impact and there was some through state funding and tuition, but we are also able to adjust programs," Karas said. “We have the ability to be flexible in how we manage those fluctuations. If we have more students, we can add sections or an adjunct professor. If we have fewer students, we wouldn’t add that expense.” 

The economy is a driving factor behind enrollment. 

“We look at what the economy is doing," Karas said when making projections. “If unemployment is very low and people are working, they’re less likely to go to college. When people don’t have job opportunities or want to increase their skills or workforce education — they come to the community college. A lot of our students are in workforce training programs and trade programs.” 

Community colleges commonly serve a diverse range of nontraditional students such as first-generation college students, working professionals, parents, military veterans, retirees and adults returning to college, for example, in addition to high school students.  

According to the nonprofit College Board, more than 40% of undergraduates attend community colleges, with 18- to 24-year-olds making up a large portion of that population. 

Karas said the community college's mission is to meet the changing needs of the local community and workforce. Flathead Valley Community College accomplishes this by building curriculum and degree and certification programs with input from local businesses and employers.   

“What skillsets are needed for positions currently and into the future? We also work with other universities and colleges if a student wants to go out and get a four-year degree,” Karas said. 

What also draws students to attend the community college is affordability, small class sizes and location. Most students come from Flathead and Lincoln counties and receive need-based financial aid through federal Pell Grants, which makes college attainable to low-income students. 

“Since the pandemic, more students are aware of the benefits of attending community college,” she said. “The quality of education is a great return of investment.” 

For the current fall semester, about 2,440 full-time, part-time and Running Start students are registered at Flathead Valley Community College. By the spring semester, Karas anticipates total enrollment will be similar to the previous academic year. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].