AURORA, Colo. – The Community College o (opens in a new window)f Aurora (CCA) has set a new all-time student enrollment record, with over 10,700 total students enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. This largest learner population in the college’s 43-year history will likely grow as registration for select courses remains open through late October. The milestone continues a period of enrollment growth following record-setting enrollment in spring 2026 (opens in a new window) and fall 2025.
Each successive semester of growth deepens our responsibility to deliver on the promise that brings students to CCA: an affordable, high-quality education that opens doors for them and their families, said Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, president of CCA. (opens in a new window) Behind this record enrollment are people choosing to pursue a degree, preparing for a new career, or returning to a dream they once put on hold. Our faculty and staff make those possibilities real through their teaching, care, and commitment. We celebrate this milestone with our community while remaining focused on what comes next: helping students persist, graduate, and turn their education into lasting opportunity.
CCA leaders attribute the continued enrollment growth in part to administrative improvements that make the college experience clearer and more predictable for students.
Updated academic course maps provide a more accurate picture of the path to graduation while earlier course scheduling fosters a more stable class structure. Redesigned registration and records processes make graduation and transfers more seamless. These all allow students to better plan their courses around work, family, and other responsibilities. The impact of this work is visible not only in record-breaking enrollment, but also in improved graduation rates that have increased 24% in recent years.
Financial aid application completion rates are also up. This fall, approximately 73% of students completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) compared with just 54% last year.
Historic enrollment is not simply about bringing more students through our doors. It reflects CCA’s commitment to seeing the whole student and responding to what our community needs, said Clair Collins, CCA Vice President of Enrollment Success and Completion. (opens in a new window) We are removing financial barriers and helping more students recognize that college is within reach. At the same time, we are aligning our programs with the workforce needs of our region so that students earn credentials that lead to strong careers, greater economic mobility, and increased long-term earning potential for their families. That is what enrollment growth should mean for a community.
As the college grows in student population and notoriety, CCA remains focused on what matters most: ensuring students not only access higher education, but succeed in it. With expanded campuses, workforce-aligned programs, targeted financial support, and wraparound student services, CCA is meeting a critical moment for Colorado’s economy and communities. This record-setting enrollment reflects growing trust in CCA as a college built to serve today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce.
