Newsroom

NIC spring enrollment increases 7.1%

North Idaho College students head to classes on the Coeur d’Alene campus last fall. NIC’s total enrollment increased 7.1% for the Spring 2026 Semester, marking the sixth straight increase from the previous year and easily outpacing national trends.

North Idaho College’s total enrollment increased 7.1% for the Spring Semester, marking the sixth straight semester improvement, outpacing the national trend.

Enrollment this spring is 4,570 students, up from 4,267 a year ago.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the current overall postsecondary enrollment increase across the country is about 1%.

“Our story has been and will continue to be one of resilience and opportunity,” NIC President Nick Swayne said. “The continued growth reflects the trust our community places in us and the determination of our students to invest in their futures.”

The biggest factors behind the enrollment include:

• Dual-credit students increased 13% from 1,580 last spring to 1,785 this spring.
• Total students from Kootenai County increased 9.6% from 3,135 to 3,435.
• Total full-time students from Kootenai County increased 17.1% from 937 to 1,097.

“Across the country, spring enrollment is typically a story of modest gains — or even continued declines — rather than dramatic surges,” Swayne said.

NIC has held applied AI workshops with local industry partners, will launch a Cardinal Classical pathway for general education this fall, has partnered with four-year institutions on several programs and organized community events such as the NIC Color Fun Run and tours for local high school and middle school students.

“We are building a future where innovation, tradition and community come together,” Swayne said.

Enrollment in non-credit courses at NIC’s Post Falls-based Workforce Training Center has also increased significantly, jumping 13% from 4,757 students to 5,382 from 2023 to 2025. Individual class enrollments increased 20% from 6,684 in 2023 to 8,038 in 2025.

“We’re seeing growth because people are looking for a faster, more direct path into meaningful, well-paying careers,” NIC Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development Colby Mattila said.

Registration for summer and fall courses is underway. For general information contact Cardinal Central at (208) 769-3311 or cardinalcentral@nic.edu. Apply for free at apply.nic.edu.