Delgado Community College is one of the nation’s ten fastest-growing public two-year colleges with enrollments of at least 10,000 students, according to a November 28 special report in the publication Community College Week.

The oldest and largest community college in Louisiana, Delgado ranks 8th on the publication’s list of 50 two-year colleges experiencing enrollment growth.

The list was compiled from an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data for fall 2009 and fall 2010. In that period, Delgado experienced 13% growth in student enrollment, from 16,618 to 18,767. The college’s enrollment grew by 9% in fall 2011, when enrollment reached a record 20,452.

Other colleges in the Top 50 list with Delgado experienced enrollment growth of 7% (Ohio’s Columbus State Community College) to 21% (Arizona’s Rio Salado College).

In another report, Community College Week ranks Louisiana 4th among the 50 states for 10-year enrollment growth among all public two-year colleges, regardless of size. From 2001 to 2010, the growth rate in Louisiana is 64% based on U.S. Dept. of Education data.

Other states experienced growth rates from 8% (California) to 122% (West Virginia). Utah and Alaska were the only states in the nation experiencing a decline in enrollment at public two-year colleges.