PBSC sees rise in fall term enrollment

Palm Beach State College is kicking off the fall 2025 semester with a 6% rise in full-time enrollment compared to the same period last year.

Nearly 27,000 students are enrolled, with almost every academic pathway showing gains. Notably, the College has seen significant growth in its Health Sciences and Industry and Trade pathways.

Health Sciences remains PBSC’s largest academic pathway, with nearly 6,300 students enrolled, a 14% increase from last fall. This surge highlights the continued demand for healthcare professionals in Palm Beach County and positions graduates for vital roles in high-demand medical fields.

Students can prepare for these health care careers at PBSC’s newest facility, the Dental and Health Innovation building on the Loxahatchee Groves campus. The four-story, 83,954-square-foot building features a fully equipped dental clinic, surgical technology suite and science labs with advanced equipment and technology for students pursuing careers as dental hygienists, dental assistants, surgical technologists and other health care professions.

“The need for qualified health care professionals has never been greater, and PBSC is stepping up to meet that challenge," said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. "The Dental and Health Innovation building gives our students access to cutting-edge technology and industry-relevant training that prepares them to thrive in today’s fast-changing health care landscape.”

In addition to health sciences, PBSC is seeing strong growth in the skilled trades. The Industry, Manufacturing, Construction and Transportation pathway saw a 15% enrollment increase compared to last fall. To help meet the region’s need for skilled workers PBSC has expanded its training offerings, launching three new construction programs this fall: the Plumbing, Building Trades and Construction Design and Carpentry career certificates. These programs are now available at the Lake Worth campus, with plans to expand to the Palm Beach Gardens campus.

STEM pathways also saw an increase in enrollment at 6% this year. The College offers programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and engineering technology and is launching advanced technology hubs and an AI lab to ensure graduates are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

Driving much of this growth are partnerships with companies such as Levatas, TMRW Sports and Related Ross. One major initiative is the Stephen M. Ross Emerging Scholars Program, funded by an $8 million gift through the Related Together foundation. The program guarantees full scholarships to graduates of Palm Beach Lakes and Forest Hill High Schools and supports college readiness programs and early college academies focused on STEM education.

These types of initiatives help students connect with PBSC even before they graduate high school. Dual enrollment and early admission participation have increased nearly 4% this year, pushing the total number of these students to over 3,000. These programs provide a valuable head start, allowing students to earn college credits, experience campus life and more smoothly transition into higher education. PBSC’s enrollment growth reflects its commitment to providing career-focused education that meets workforce needs. With expanded programs, modern facilities and strong industry partnerships, PBSC is preparing students across a variety of fields for successful futures.