Fall enrollment at the University of Arkansas - East Arkansas Community College set a second record-breaking year, increasing 11.2% over fall 2024 from an unduplicated headcount of 1,399 to 1,566. This is the fifth consecutive year of fall growth, and the 4th largest percentage increase of all state two-year colleges. UA-EACC also experienced the largest 5-year headcount growth among all of Arkansas' 33 public colleges and universities.

"We placed extra effort on retention and communication this year. A huge predictor of student success is attending class from the beginning, and we have pulled out all the stops to assist students in attending on campus through communication, transportation, and online, through log-in and technology assistance," said Chancellor Cathie Cline.

"Our instructors have ramped up personal outreach to students. Research shows that instructors have the greatest influence over student success," said Dr. Cline.

UA-EACC's enrollment growth is more than double the state average for public two-year colleges, which experienced a 5% increase from fall 2024 to fall 2025, while universities increased 2.1%.

UA-EACC had the highest 5-year percentage headcount growth of all Arkansas' 33 public institutions of higher education, increasing 66% from Fall 2020 to Fall 2025.  On average, Arkansas' two-year colleges increased 14.1% over 5 years, while universities averaged 7.1% in headcount growth.

UA-EACC's five-year headcount increase of 622 students since fall 2020 is the 4th largest of all 22 colleges. An analysis of fall enrollment data from 2020-2025 comparing UA-EACC's relative size among the 22 colleges shows that UA-EACC now ranks 11th among the 22 institutions, up from 20th in fall 2020.

"Rebounding from Covid and growing not just in terms of our own size, but also relative to other institutions, is a huge achievement for our faculty, staff, students, and community given that we live in an area of declining population," said Chancellor Cathie Cline.

From the 2010 Census to the 2020 Census, all six counties that make up UA-EACC's historic service area experienced population decline. The total service area population fell by 11,988, or -12.42%, from 96,544 to 84,556. During the same period, Arkansas' population increased by over 95,000 or 3.38%. Population estimates from the 2023  American Community Survey continue to show a decrease in population in the six-county area, which includes St. Francis, Cross, Lee, Monroe, Woodruff, and Poinsett counties.

High school programs were the largest source of growth for fall 2025, which increased 32.5% year-over-year, from a headcount of 624 to 827 at UA-EACC. High school enrollment at all two-year colleges in Arkansas increased by 11.9%.

"UA-EACC has been on a trajectory of increasing enrollment in high school programs and the ACCESS bill passed in the most recent legislative session has supported that growth. We also believe becoming part of the UA system has contributed to the overall growth in all programs," said Cline.

Fall 2025 Preliminary Headcount numbers were released by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education this week.