Enrollment at Clanton’s Jefferson State Community College campus is up more than 33 percent this fall as more residents learn about the school—and as more people place an importance on education value.

More students are attending each of Jeff State’s four campuses; in fact, this year was the third consecutive to see record enrollment at Jeff State, which is in its 45th year of existence.

“People are certainly looking for education, they’re looking for training, but they’re also looking for value in that,” Jeff State spokesman David Bobo said.

Tuition is certainly part of the formula for education value, but so is proximity. Jeff State provides college courses in Clanton for those that don’t want to commute to Birmingham or Montgomery—or farther.

Enrollment at the Clanton campus went from 408 last fall to 543 this year, an increase that was, percentage-wise, the largest at any Jeff State campus.

“It’s new, and it’s really still getting its start,” Bobo said. “I think it’s starting to become a little more noticed, and it’s offering some courses to people that may not have had that opportunity before.”

Bobo said the Clanton campus, which opened last fall, was built with growth in mind, so no extra steps are needed now to accommodate the increase in students—only to monitor class size and course offerings.

“It’s exciting,” Bobo said. “When we got a location down there, we felt like it was really embraced by the community. It was such a welcoming feeling.

“Now, you really see it paying off. Students are rolling in, and they’re getting the education and training that is needed. That’s rewarding.”