By Jonathan Lai, Inquirer Staff Writer

With the fall semester well underway, South Jersey community colleges and universities are reporting enrollment numbers that reflect national trends.

The two-year colleges report a decline as the economy strengthens and many adults prefer to earn a paycheck.

“We are a counter-cyclical industry,” said David Baime, a senior vice president of the American Association of Community Colleges who acts as the organization’s chief lobbyist. “When the economy improves, the enrollment dips or softens.”

Rowan University is continuing to grow, particularly with undergraduates, but Rutgers-Camden faces a more complex situation. Enrollment in Camden is climbing among undergraduates and in many graduate programs, but a sharp decline in law school students has flattened total enrollment.

More>>