Enrollment up about 10% | Free Tuition Pilot students double from last fall

Austin Community College District (ACC) welcomes students for the fall 2025 semester on Monday, August 25. This fall marks one of the largest enrollment surges in recent years.

As of August 25, data showed overall enrollment is at almost 44,000, up about 10% from fall 2024 and more than 23% from two years ago. More than 10,300 students are taking advantage of ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot program this semester — more than double the 4,800 who enrolled last fall. The program is open to high school graduates and Texas GED® graduates from the ACC service area, starting with the class of 2024.

Growth is happening across all areas of study, with the biggest increases in:

• Health Sciences | Up about 19%
• Liberal Arts | Up about 14%
• Skilled Trades | Up about 15%
• Business | Up about 12%

“The enrollment surge is proof that more students are choosing ACC as their pathway to a better future. That doesn’t happen without the dedication and teamwork of our faculty and staff. This is what it looks like when a college community comes together to put students first,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. 

To meet student demand, the College added nearly 500 new course sections and hired approximately 100 new adjunct faculty members. ACC also continues to create course opportunities to help students on waitlists stay on track toward graduation.

Supporting Student Success

This fall, ACC is rolling out new resources to remove barriers and keep students moving forward. New opportunities include:

• Riverbat Bites Food Pantries: Available on all campuses, fully stocked to help students facing food insecurity.
• Wayfinding Improvements: New signage and digital maps make navigating campuses easier.
• Student Advocates: A dedicated team of case managers to work one-on-one with students and connect them to the right resources.

For a full list, visit austincc.edu/studentsupport. 

Students still working through the application and registration process can take advantage of ACC’s flexible learning options. Registration remains open for 14-, 12-, and 8-week courses, allowing students to begin later in the semester while staying on track.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/shortsemester.

Tags: Fall 2025, food pantry, Free Tuition, Riverbat Bites, Student Advocates, Wayfinding, Welcome Riverbats