National magazine ranks OTC No. 33 in growth

Ozarks Technical Community College was named one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the nation, according to a report released Monday by Community College Week magazine.

OTC ranked 33rd nationally among schools with 10,000 or more students, with an 8.4 percent enrollment increase from fall 2007 to fall 2008. The growth accelerated this year, as fall 2009 enrollment jumped 15.9 percent compared to fall 2008.

"Community colleges around the country are continuing to see tremendous growth because they offer unique opportunities for affordable, flexible education, short-term workforce development training, and accelerated certification programs during this time of economic struggles," OTC President Hal Higdon said in a separate news release.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College topped the list, with 32.5 percent growth.