Valencia College shattered its previous enrollment record this fall, welcoming an unprecedented 49,676 students to its campuses and marking a new milestone in the institution’s historic growth trajectory. Overall, the number of degree-seeking students enrolled this fall increased 5.5% from fall 2023.
Coming on the heels of a record-breaking spring 2024 semester, the new data reinforce the college’s continuing commitment to providing access to quality, affordable higher education, and workforce training to the residents of Orange and Osceola counties.
“We are proud of our enrollment, not just because it is our highest ever, but because it demonstrates that we are fulfilling our mission as an affordable and open-access college responding to growing demand for education and training in Central Florida,” said Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College.
Notably, the college also welcomed more first-generation college students than ever before. Of the 49,676 students taking credit classes in the fall semester, 25,176 reported that their parents did not attend college or did not graduate from college.
The latest enrollment data reflects an increase in new students as well as returning students. This fall, Valencia College welcomed 8,635 first-time-in-college students, up 4.4% from last fall.
One key factor contributing to the continued rise in enrollment is the Osceola Prosper program, a groundbreaking initiative made possible by the Osceola County Commission, and sprearheaded by District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington. Osceola Prosper provides tuition and fee coverage for all high school graduates in Osceola County, including those from public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschool programs, who choose to enroll at Valencia College or Osceola Technical College (oTECH).
Through Osceola Prosper, students can pursue an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, or complete a Valencia College Accelerated Skills Training or Technical Certificate program, with all tuition and fees fully covered until graduation. To qualify, students must enroll part-time or full-time by Spring 2025. Alternatively, students can opt to enroll in a program at Osceola Technical College (oTECH), benefiting from the same support.
This initiative is transforming opportunities for Osceola County graduates, making higher education and career training more accessible than ever.
In addition, the number of students returning to continue their studies jumped 7.2% over last fall — a measure of success and persistence.
