Board of Regents notes 19 percent increase in TCAT enrollment

A file photo shows a student in a shop class.

New data from the state indicates that total enrollment in Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) reached 44,723 during the 2023-24 academic year, marking a 19 percent increase from the previous school year.

According to a report presented to the Tennessee Board of Regents during its quarterly meeting on Dec. 10, dual enrollment high school students enrolled in career and technical programs have continued to show the largest increase, up 31 percent from the previous academic year. Enrollment among high school graduates and other adults in traditional TCAT diploma and certificate programs also increased 7 percent, while enrollment in special industry and other supplemental programs increased by 25 percent to 10,590 students.

In addition to those findings, Board of Regents officials said the state’s 24 TCATs awarded nearly 8,000 career and technical diplomas in the 2023-24 school year. Officials said TCAT enrollment growth has also continued in the current fall trimester, where registrations have increased 20 percent over fall 2023.

Tennessee Board of Regents’ Faculty Regent Ross Roberts discusses enrollment trends at the board’s Dec. 10 meeting. (Screenshot/Brandon Paykamian)

Faculty Regent Ross Roberts said during the Dec. 10 meeting that he expects these positive enrollment trends to continue, particularly among dual enrollment students interested in technical programs like welding.

“Not only can you take the same welding class or health class that you can take in high school, but you are going to be getting college credit, and it’s going to translate into a degree or a credential,” he said. “I think we’re going to continue to see that trend line continue in a positive way because those TCATs are so well-positioned to take the very basic stuff at the high school and really allow students to go in-depth on their own.”

In other business, officials gave an overview of the system’s most recent annual fundraising report, which said 13 community colleges received a total of $19,219,484 in contributions through their foundations during fiscal year 2023-24, representing an increase of $1,540,456. According to the data, Nashville State Community College led the community colleges in fundraising with $4.28 million, followed by Roane State Community College with just over $4.2 million, and Dyersburg State Community College with $2.27 million.

Board members also received an update on construction projects underway across the system. According to that update, there are currently over 29 major projects, mostly at TCATs, funded by a $1 billion investment from Gov. Bill Lee and the General Assembly in the fiscal year 2023-24 state budget. In addition, the TBR Office of Facilities Development is leading 45 projects totaling $530 million at state universities that were formerly part of the TBR system.

For more information on recent discussions from the Board of Regents or to view the full meeting from Dec. 10, visit www.tbr.edu.