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Total enrollment in the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) rose to 44,723 during the 2023-24 academic year, marking a 19 percent increase over the previous year, according to a report presented to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) during its quarterly meeting Tuesday, Dec. 10.

The growth spanned all student categories, with dual enrollment—high school students also enrolled in career and technical education programs at TCATs—experiencing the largest increase, up 31 percent from the 2022-23 academic year. Enrollment of high school graduates and other adults in traditional TCAT diploma and certificate programs increased by 7 percent, while enrollment in special industry and other supplemental programs rose by 25 percent, reaching 10,590 students.

There are 24 TCAT main campuses across Tennessee, each with multiple branch campuses in their regions, offering a broad range of career and technical education programs. The TCATs awarded 7,925 career and technical diplomas and certificates to program graduates during the 2023-24 academic year, which includes three trimesters.

Enrollment growth continued into the current fall trimester, where registrations at the TCATs increased by 20 percent compared to Fall 2023.

The Tennessee Board of Regents, which governs the state’s public community colleges and TCATs, also reviewed additional systemwide updates during its meeting.

Fundraising Report

The 13 community colleges received a total of $19,219,484 in contributions through their foundations during fiscal year 2023-24, representing an increase of $1,540,456 from the previous year.

• Nashville State Community College led fundraising efforts with $4.28 million, followed by Roane State Community College with just over $4.2 million and Dyersburg State Community College with $2.27 million.
• Contributions through the systemwide Foundation for the College System of Tennessee totaled $642,754 during the fiscal year. Since its reconstitution in fiscal year 2019, the foundation has distributed $980,342 in scholarship funds to students.

Construction Projects

Board members also received an update on ongoing construction projects across the system:

• 29 major projects, primarily at TCATs, totaling $884 million, funded by a $1 billion investment from Gov. Bill Lee and the General Assembly in the 2023-24 state budget.
• 21 previously funded TCAT projects totaling over $500 million.
• 34 community college projects totaling $274 million.
• 11 major-maintenance projects at TCATs totaling $10 million.

Additionally, the TBR Office of Facilities Development is assisting with 45 projects at state universities, totaling $530 million, that were formerly part of the TBR system.