Tennessee’s community colleges awarded 16,240 associate degrees and technical certificates to graduates in the 2025-26 academic year, the highest number ever conferred – a 9 percent increase over the previous year and 19 percent growth over a decade ago.
In addition, preliminary enrollment at the 13 community colleges for the current fall semester totals 82,127 students – up 3 percent over the same time last year. The strongest growth is among first-time freshmen, up 4 percent over last year. It is the fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth at the community colleges.
Preliminary enrollment at the 22 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), which started their fall trimester later than the community colleges, is up 14 percent compared to the same time last year. The strongest enrollment growth at the TCATs is among high school students who are dual enrolled in TCAT courses, an increase of 38 percent. Final fall enrollment numbers will be presented at the board’s December meeting.
The degree and certificate awards and enrollment numbers are among the highlights of reports presented to the Tennessee Board of Regents during its quarterly meeting Thursday and Friday. The board, which governs the state’s public community and technical colleges, met at TCAT Shelbyville’s new campus. The meeting was hosted by TCAT Shelbyville, TCAT McMinnville and Motlow State Community College.
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