Moraine Park Technical College is celebrating its third consecutive year of significant growth in enrollment trends for the fall 2025 semester. Following four consecutive years of declining enrollment numbers, MPTC has now seen three years in a row of increased enrollment.
To date, the College is noting a twelve percent increase in full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollments and the highest year-to-date program student headcount in five years. Enrollment has now fully returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The College is showing growth in the following key areas:
- Overall program headcount is up by over eight percent, and the growth is expected to remain strong into the spring 2026 semester.
- Program student headcount comparison as of September 1:
- 2022-23 – 2,575
- 2023-24 – 2,651
- 2024-25 – 2,936
- 2025-26 – 3,185
- Program student headcount comparison as of September 1:
- High school students taking advantage of Start College Now opportunities have increased by nearly 20 percent.
- As of September 1, students enrolling directly from local public high schools rose 34 percent, from 273 in 2024-25 to 365 in 2025-26.
- Enrollment in Moraine Park’s University Transfer (Associate of Arts and Associate of Science) degree programs continues to grow, with 146 students so far for the 2025-26 school year – an increase of 42 percent.
- The Department of Corrections online program enrollments remain steady with a 13 percent growth in FTE.
- Moraine Park continues to earn student loyalty, with more than 80% of eligible students returning each semester.
- Programs with the most notable growth are primarily in healthcare and include Respiratory Therapy, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiography, Nursing and Nursing Assistant. Information Technology programs such as Cybersecurity Specialist and the new AI Data Specialist program also show strong student interest.
Moraine Park’s recent growth is also tied to the success of its referendum-supported facility improvements. Over the past few years, the College has reimagined and modernized its campuses to enhance both learning and work environments. Thanks to taxpayer support through the passing of Moraine Park’s 2022 referendum, these updated spaces have created state-of-the-art facilities for students and employees while also strengthening recruitment, retention and overall excitement across the district.
“It has been an incredible honor to lead the College through this period of growth and transformation,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park President, said. “The support from our communities has been unwavering, and our continued growth demonstrates the vital role of technical education, both in strengthening our local economy and in preparing the skilled professionals who proudly graduate as MPTC alumni. I am deeply honored to lead this mission and look forward to building on our momentum and future success.”
The College has multiple events this fall for prospective students and community members to visit campus, view new spaces and learn more about Moraine Park.
- West Bend Campus Community Open House
- September 18 from 5:30-8 p.m.
- Discover Moraine Park
- Fond du Lac- October 1 from 5-7 p.m.
- Beaver Dam- October 15 from 5-7 p.m.
- West Bend- October 29 from 5-7 p.m.
- Virtual Information Sessions (open to all those interested in an MPTC program)
- Tuesday, September 16 at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Now is an exciting time to be part of Moraine Park’s mission. Applications for the spring 2026 semester are currently being accepted. Contact MPTC recruitment for more information at recruitment@morainepark.edu.