Ozarks Tech Springfield Campus

Overall Enrollment Up 7% for Fall 2025

When people think of community colleges, they often assume students come mostly from nearby towns. At Ozarks Tech, the story is much bigger. This fall, students are arriving from more than 400 high schools, representing 75 counties in Missouri (nearly two-thirds of all counties in the state), and from 10 different states. The message is clear: Students want the value, accessibility and career-focused opportunities Ozarks Tech provides. Proof is in the numbers – overall enrollment is up 7%.

This range brings with it a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives and goals. Whether students are here to earn transfer credits, prepare for the workforce or make career changes, they’re all here to build a foundation for the future.

With more than 80 programs of study, there’s truly something for everyone. From business and education to manufacturing and culinary, Ozarks Tech offers a pathway for every dream. This fall, two areas stand out as especially popular:

  • Health Science: More than 2,800 students are preparing for careers in nursing and various health care roles, including the new radiography and sonography programs–a 17% enrollment increase).
  • Technical Education: Over 3,000 students are gaining hands-on training in fields like aviation, automotive and construction–a 5% enrollment increase).

The modern era of education looks different for everyone, and Ozarks Tech continues to meet students wherever they are. New facilities are opening across our locations, including the Technical Training Center at Richwood Valley, specializing in agriculture and electrical distribution systems; the Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center, designed for hands-on flight and maintenance training; and the launch of the Alliance for Health Care Education, expanding opportunities in one of the fastest-growing fields.

Whether in classrooms, labs or online, students are choosing the paths that fit their lives. With this flexibility, and a growing network of state-of-the-art training centers, Ozarks Tech is making it possible for every student to learn, grow, and succeed.

One of the best things about Ozarks Tech is how we help high school students get ahead. This fall, more than 1,700 high schoolers are already earning college credit through Dual Enrollment, College Now and Middle College programs. This semester, enrollment in the high school programs increased 18%. These programs save time, save money and give students a head start on college and careers before they even graduate. And high schoolers are taking advantage of it.

We can’t wait to see the impact our new programs and facilities will have on learning, and to hear the new success stories that begin here at Ozarks Tech.

First Day Stats Quiz

If you found your way here from social media to learn the answers to the First Day Stats Quiz, here are the answers:

  1. How many states are represented by Ozarks Tech students?
    A) 5
    B) 10
    C) 15
    D) 20
  2. True or False: Students are enrolled in 80+ different programs of study.
  3. How many students are taking Tech Ed courses?
    A) 1,000
    B) 2,000
    C) 3,000
    D) 4,000
  4. What is one of the new programs offered in Fall 2025?
    A) Electronic Media Production
    B) Sonography
    C) Criminal Justice
    D) Drafting & Design

Answers

  1. B, 10
  2. True
  3. C, 3,000
  4. B. Other new programs include Radiography and Aviation Airframe & Powerplant.