While higher education has struggled with a precipitous drop since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, especially among community colleges, Marion Technical College is bucking those trends.
The college has had record enrollment with 3,226 students − an increase of 11% over spring 2023 and 24% over spring 2022. The number includes 1,650 high school students taking classes at no cost to them or their families through the College Credit Plus program, 1,227 general students and 349 students at area prisons.
“When students and their families are trying to get ahead without incurring overwhelming debt, Marion Tech is clearly a smart investment,” said Dr. Amy Adams, executive vice president at the college. “With micro-certificates, one-year certificates, associate’s degrees and our new bachelor of science in nursing, there are options to enter or advance in growing fields.”
New micro-certificates include the Intel-approved semiconductor curriculum, which are three or four classes taken in one year or less.
“When the new Intel plants open in Licking County, our graduates will be ready to step in with essential skills and knowledge,” said Dr. Elizabeth Azhikannickal, director of engineering technologies at Marion Tech.
Intel is expected to hire 3,000 workers, including 2,000 technicians and 700 engineers. The average annual salary will be $135,000, according to Fortune Magazine.
In addition, Marion Tech is ahead of trends such as stackable certificates; convenient, flexible learning options; and small class sizes.
“When more students and their families are looking to make each dollar count, Marion Tech offers an exceptional value with full-time tuition at just $5,500 a year − less than a fifth of the cost of tuition, room and board at state universities or a fraction of a cost of a private university. With classes guaranteed to transfer to public college, Marion Tech is a smart choice,” Adams said.
A Pell grant covers the cost of tuition at Marion Tech. Students can apply for scholarships, including a full ride and a buy-one, get-one-free option through May 1 at mtc.edu. In addition, Marion Tech uses Open Educational Resources, which are quality educational resources that are free to students, saving students more than $1 million in costs for books.
The school also has many transfer partnerships, including the newest with Tiffin University in which graduates can continue their education and qualify for a $16,000 merit scholarship. Several universities offer a 3+1 program, in which students can take classes at Marion Tech for three years and take a fourth year online at a discounted price to receive a bachelor’s degree.
“Attending Marion Tech for two or three years can reduce the cost of a bachelor’s degree by half or more,” Adams said.
Marion Tech offers degrees leading to growing, well-paying fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for physical therapist assistants will grow 26% and pay an average of $62,770 a year. Occupational therapy assistant openings will grow 24% through 2032 and pay an average of $64,250. Each requires an associate degree. Engineering techs, software developers and cyber security are among the many in-demand careers accessible with certificates and associate’s degrees at Marion Tech.
“We have some students who have bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees coming to Marion Tech because they can’t find good-paying jobs and want to enter an in-demand field,” Adams said. “With an investment of two years and $11,000, you can enter a field that pays more than $60,000. That’s a great return on investment.”
The trends continue, as summer enrollment is 10% higher than last year and nearly 39% higher than 2022, with registration continuing as 10-week classes do not start until mid-May and eight-week classes do not start until June. For more information, go to mtc.edu.
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