Dunwoody continues to see growing interest in the skilled trades and technical fields
This fall Dunwoody College of Technology, a leader in hands-on, applied education, is excited to announce another year of enrollment growth. The number of students enrolled at the College grew by 3.3 percent, which marks an increase of 48 percent over the past 12 years. This sustained upward trajectory reflects a growing interest in technical, design, and skilled trades careers.
This year’s enrollment growth was spread across many of the College’s academic programs, including Engineering, Computers, Construction Sciences, and Robotics & Manufacturing.
“The stigmas surrounding the skilled trades, design, and technical fields are starting to shift, and we are seeing evidence of that in our continued growth,” said President Scott Stallman. “At the same time, students are becoming more educated consumers, and they are looking for degrees that lead to high-pay, high-demand fields. Those two things are leading more students to pursue the types of degrees that Dunwoody offers.”
Dunwoody’s strong fall enrollment numbers are also reflective of the College’s high retention rate, as most students are choosing to finish their degree, demonstrating the value students see in their education.
The College offers more than 40 degree programs, including certificates, associates, and bachelor’s degrees. Two-thirds of the students attending Dunwoody this fall are enrolled in a one-year certificate or a two-year associate of applied science degree, showing a sustained interest in shorter degree pathways.
At the same time, students taking online-only programs grew by 17 percent, year-over-year.
“Online continues to be a growing area for the College as more and more students are seeking flexible options for their degree, including those who are pairing their education with work,” said Academic Dean Bridget Reynolds. “At Dunwoody, our unique approach to online learning provides students with real-world, applied learning in a digital space that prepares them for careers in high-demand, technical fields.”
High-Demand Degrees
Electrical Construction & Maintenance is once again the College’s highest enrolled program with 251 students enrolled for this fall – a 17 percent increase year-over-year.
At the same time, Dunwoody’s Cybersecurity degree program saw the biggest jump in enrollment (96 percent), nearly doubling in size. This is the second year in a row of high growth for this program and comes at a time when the demand for cybersecurity professionals is at an all-time high. To train these cyber professionals, the College recently opened its Center for Cybersecurity & Cloud Engineering, which features a state-of-the-moment cyber range.
Another area of enrollment growth came from Dunwoody Automated Systems & Robotics program with an increase of 35 percent compared to last year. Students in this program area are currently in high demand, as more industries are in need of skilled professionals to program, develop, and maintain industrial robots and other automated systems. Graduates from this program have a career outcome rate of 100 percent, according to Dunwoody’s most recent Career Services Report.
Focused on Student Supports
As a small, private not-for-profit institution of higher education, Dunwoody is able to provide students with the supports and wrap-around-services they need to be successful.
This includes exposing students to career pathways and future employers from acceptance through graduation. Students benefit from industry site visits, employer events, and highly attended career fairs that bring more than 200 companies looking to hire Dunwoody graduates to campus twice a year. In addition, the College provides free, on-site and online tutoring services, along with access to a wide variety of co-curricular activities.
The College’s signature scholarship program, Pathways to Careers, helps under-resourced students prepare for college success by pairing students with mentors, providing academic and financial supports, and providing one-on-one advising. The program has been highly successful in attracting and retaining students to the College.
“Dunwoody remains committed to delivering academic programs that are industry-aligned, in-demand, and lead to high-paying careers,” Stallman said. “We know that a college education is one of the biggest investments students can make in themselves. We want to ensure that students who invest in a Dunwoody education continue to get one of the best returns on their investment in the State of Minnesota.”
About Dunwoody College of Technology
Founded in 1914, Dunwoody College of Technology is the only private, non-profit technical college in the Upper Midwest. Having provided hands-on, applied technical education to more than 250,000 individuals, Dunwoody is the college for experimenters and makers, a place where the curious and the confident learn by doing. Located in Minneapolis, Dunwoody offers a unique campus experience in dedicated labs, studios, and shops that treats students like future professionals from day one. With certificates, associates, and bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors – including engineering, robotics, design, and other STEM-related fields – Dunwoody challenges students to come determined and graduate destined.