Student Enrollment

Get the full picture of student enrollment at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD: size, diversity, and more.

Columbia, MD

Total Enrollment

8,643

Currently enrolled students

Program Options

90

90 career programs

Full-Time Students

2,277

6,263 part-time

Total FTE

5,459

Full-time equivalent students

Student-Faculty Ratio

13:1

Students per faculty member

What Is the Student Body Size?

Training Program Focus

69
Certificate Graduates
Short-term specialized training
1172
Total Recent Graduates

With 8,643 students, Howard Community College is a large vocational institution offering diverse career training programs and extensive facilities. The school offers 90 specialized career programs designed for immediate workforce entry.

How Do Students Attend?

Attendance Status Distribution

Full-Time Students 2,277 (26.7%)
26.7%
Part-Time Students 6,263 (73.3%)
73.3%
Total Students 8,540

Majority part-time students (73.3%), serving working professionals and those with other commitments.

Full-Time
Part-Time

Students are split between full-time (26.3%) and part-time attendance, reflecting flexible scheduling for working professionals.

Who Are the Students?

Student Demographics

Gender Distribution

Gender Split
Women
57.9%
5,002 students
Men
42.1%
3,641 students

Race/Ethnicity Distribution

Primary Ethnic Group
Black/African American
27.8%
2,402 students
Black/African American
27.8% (2,402)
White
22.0% (1,902)
Asian
14.5% (1,249)
Hispanic/Latino
13.7% (1,181)
Two or More Races
6.6% (572)
International Students
6.5% (565)
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.1% (12)
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.1% (10)

Demographics Summary

Gender: Balanced gender distribution across 8,643 students

Largest Ethnic Group: Black/African American students make up 28% of the student body (2,402 students)

The student body reflects diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Interested in Academic Quality & Learning Environment?

Explore retention rates, student-faculty ratios, distance education options, and academic intensity on our dedicated Academics page.

View Academics Page

How Are Students Distributed by Level?

Undergraduate students

8,643 students

42% Men, 58% Women
2,177 Full-time 6,466 Part-time
Diversity Index: 82% • Minority Students: 56%

What Are the Attendance Patterns?

Full-Time Students

All Full-Time

2,277
All full-time students
1,110 men, 1,167 women
Diversity: 82%

All Full-Time

2,177
All full-time students
1,090 men, 1,087 women
Diversity: 82%

FT Undergraduate

2,277
Full-time undergraduate
1,110 men, 1,167 women
Diversity: 82%

FT Undergraduate

2,177
Full-time undergraduate
1,090 men, 1,087 women
Diversity: 82%

FT Degree-Seeking

2,125
Full-time degree/certificate-seeking
1,038 men, 1,087 women
Diversity: 81%

FT Degree-Seeking

2,070
Full-time degree/certificate-seeking
1,038 men, 1,032 women
Diversity: 82%

FT First-Time

797
Full-time first-time students
397 men, 400 women
Diversity: 82%

FT First-Time

577
Full-time first-time students
298 men, 279 women
Diversity: 81%

FT Continuing

1,493
Full-time continuing students
740 men, 753 women
Diversity: 82%

FT Continuing

1,328
Full-time continuing students
641 men, 687 women
Diversity: 81%

FT Transfer

121
Full-time transfer students
53 men, 68 women
Diversity: 78%

FT Transfer

145
Full-time transfer students
61 men, 84 women
Diversity: 76%

FT Continuing

1,207
Full-time other continuing
588 men, 619 women
Diversity: 81%

FT Continuing

1,348
Full-time other continuing
679 men, 669 women
Diversity: 82%

FT Non-Degree

107
Full-time non-degree seeking
52 men, 55 women
Diversity: 81%

FT Non-Degree

152
Full-time non-degree seeking
72 men, 80 women
Diversity: 82%

Part-Time Students

All Part-Time

6,466
All part-time students
2,551 men, 3,915 women
Diversity: 82%

All Part-Time

6,263
All part-time students
2,450 men, 3,813 women
Diversity: 81%

PT Undergraduate

6,263
Part-time undergraduate
2,450 men, 3,813 women
Diversity: 81%

PT Undergraduate

6,466
Part-time undergraduate
2,551 men, 3,915 women
Diversity: 82%

PT Degree-Seeking

4,654
Part-time degree/certificate-seeking
1,754 men, 2,900 women
Diversity: 79%

PT Degree-Seeking

4,579
Part-time degree/certificate-seeking
1,726 men, 2,853 women
Diversity: 79%

PT First-Time

707
Part-time first-time students
295 men, 412 women
Diversity: 80%

PT First-Time

594
Part-time first-time students
259 men, 335 women
Diversity: 80%

PT Continuing

3,947
Part-time continuing students
1,459 men, 2,488 women
Diversity: 78%

PT Continuing

3,985
Part-time continuing students
1,467 men, 2,518 women
Diversity: 79%

PT Transfer

343
Part-time transfer students
116 men, 227 women
Diversity: 74%

PT Transfer

383
Part-time transfer students
122 men, 261 women
Diversity: 76%

PT Continuing

3,604
Part-time other continuing
1,343 men, 2,261 women
Diversity: 78%

PT Continuing

3,602
Part-time other continuing
1,345 men, 2,257 women
Diversity: 79%

PT Non-Degree

1,887
Part-time non-degree seeking
825 men, 1,062 women
Diversity: 82%

PT Non-Degree

1,609
Part-time non-degree seeking
696 men, 913 women
Diversity: 80%

Understanding Student Categories

First-Time: Students starting their first postsecondary program

Continuing: Students who previously enrolled and are returning

Transfer: Students who transferred from other institutions

Degree-Seeking: Students enrolled in certificate or degree programs

Non-Degree: Students taking courses without pursuing a formal credential

What Is the Diversity Picture?

Undergraduate students

1,902
White
2,402
Black/African American
1,181
Hispanic/Latino
1,249
Asian
565
International
Diversity Index: 82% Minority Students: 56%

Want to See Student Success & Outcomes?

Explore completion rates, transfer patterns, and detailed 8-year student outcome tracking on our dedicated Student Outcomes page.

View Student Outcomes

Student Life & Campus Experience

Diverse Student Community

Students from various backgrounds come together to learn career-focused skills in a supportive environment.

Flexible Scheduling

Many students balance work and family commitments with their studies through part-time and evening programs.

Career-Focused Learning

Students are goal-oriented, seeking practical skills and credentials that lead directly to employment opportunities.

AI-generated illustration of diverse students on a college campus with enrollment statistics, charts showing student demographics, attendance patterns, and campus life activities

Key Takeaways About Howard Community College's Student Body

Training Environment: Large vocational institution with 8,643 students offering extensive career programs and state-of-the-art facilities.
Study Patterns: Flexible scheduling with many part-time students balancing work and education.
Academic Intensity: 5,459 FTE students indicates flexible scheduling accommodating working students.
Learning Format: Traditional in-person education with online components for flexibility.
Academic Environment: Excellent student-faculty ratio (13:1) ensures personalized attention and mentorship.
Student Diversity: Highly diverse student body with excellent representation across ethnic and racial groups.
Learning Environment: Students benefit from career-focused education with hands-on training, experienced instructors, and support services designed to help them achieve their professional goals.
Community: The student body includes diverse learners from various backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where students can network and learn from each other's experiences.

Contact Information

Address

10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy

Columbia, MD 21044-3197

Student Success

The student body at trade colleges often includes:

  • • Working adults seeking career changes
  • • Recent high school graduates
  • • Military veterans using education benefits
  • • Students upgrading skills in their field
  • • Individuals seeking fast-track credentials
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