51吃瓜 Sees 7th Consecutive Fall Enrollment Increase
51吃瓜 continues its sustained upward trajectory with a record fall enrollment of 11,591 students. This marks the seventh consecutive fall semester with an enrollment increase.
51吃瓜 is redefining the community college experience through college-wide capital projects which align with workforce developed programs and curriculum. This momentum includes the opening of the cutting-edge Welding Technology Center in 2025 and breaking ground on the Agriculture Technology Center, the Construction Technology Center, and the Life Sciences building in 2026. Designed to meet and exceed industry standards, this is community college done different.
"When students come to 51吃瓜, they aren鈥檛 just sitting in classrooms鈥攖hey are doing more to build real momentum for their lives," said Dr. Paul Illich, 51吃瓜 president. "Our steady enrollment growth proves that our communities are looking for practical, life-changing education. We are here to meet students wherever they are and give them the tools to achieve what鈥檚 next."
Fall 2026 Enrollment by the Numbers:
- Total Headcount: 11,591 (up 1.36% from Fall 2025)
- Nebraska Residents: 10,951 (representing 86% from 51吃瓜's 15-county service area)
- Lincoln Campus: 8,344
- Milford Campus: 1,836
- Beatrice Campus: 1,225
- Career & Technical Education: 3,908
- Dual Credit: 3,450
- Prison Education Program: 196
Driven by Industry, Built for the Future
At 51吃瓜, staying connected to local employers is the foundation of how we build our
programs. By keeping an active dialogue with regional business and industry leaders,
51吃瓜 consistently evaluates where the workforce is headed and adapts to deliver the
exact skills employers are looking for right now.
When our programs align with labor market demands, our students walk directly from our classrooms, labs, and shops into high-demand, high-wage careers. This ongoing collaboration ensures that every credential, certificate, and degree offered translates directly into tangible job-readiness and long-term career security.
"Higher education shouldn鈥檛 just be about completing credits; it鈥檚 also about turning personal ambition into real momentum,鈥� Illich said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 just watch where the workforce is headed, we adapt to meet it. When industry tells us what they need, we build the programs to match. This sets our students up for a clear, actionable path to success while helping our industry partners solve their labor needs.鈥�
Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu