Sierra College Enrollment Near All-Time Highs as Students Return for Fall Semester
More than 20,000 students fill Sierra classes; New, on-campus student housing building reaches full capacity; Modernized Applied Technology Center opens for mechatronics, welding and advanced manufacturing programs
Sierra College welcomed more than 20,000 students last week as fall semester classes began at its Rocklin, Nevada County and Tahoe-Truckee campuses — as well as online. The figure marks a 2% increase over Fall 2025 enrollment and is near the all-time high for Sierra College, which is celebrating its 90th year of serving the region in 2026.
“This is an extraordinary way to begin the fall semester of our 90th Anniversary Year,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “Strong enrollment tells us that more students than ever are choosing Sierra College to begin or continue their education, and we are proud to welcome them to a campus that has more to offer — new student housing, modernized facilities, and expanded opportunities to launch their careers.”
Enrollment Growth
As of August 24, enrollment of 20,362 students represents one of the largest student bodies in Sierra College’s 90-year history and continues a multi-year upward trend across the district’s three physical campuses and its growing online offerings. The continued year-over-year increase reflects strong demand for the college’s 125 degree and certificate programs, including associate degrees, transfer-focused degrees and career technical training. Enrollment typically continues to grow early in the semester, meaning enrollment is likely to continue to trend upward.
Modernized Applied Technology Center Opens for Instruction
Students are also returning this fall to the initial phase (H-Building) of the newly modernized Applied Technology Center on the Rocklin campus, part of a years-long effort to rebuild facilities dating to the 1960s. The space updated as part of this project phase houses mechatronics, building industries and the Makerspace, an interdisciplinary fabrication and innovation space. The second half of the ATC modernization will be completed Summer 2027 and house the Advanced Manufacturing and Welding programs, starting Fall 2027.
“Our students are stepping into learning spaces built for the careers they’re training for right now,” said Amy Schulz, Executive Dean, Workforce and Strategic Initiatives at Sierra College. “This is exactly the kind of hands-on, industry-aligned training that sets our graduates up for success from day-one.”
New Student Housing Building Reaches Full Occupancy
The Rocklin campus’s new 358-bed student housing building is fully occupied for the first time this fall, with every unit now home to Sierra College students. The modern, apartment-style building welcomed its first residents this January, offering most beds at below-market rents together with dining, transit and academic support services.
Celebrating 90 Years
This fall semester also opens the second half of Sierra College’s “90 Years New!” anniversary celebration, marking 90 years since the college’s founding in 1936, alongside 30 years of the Nevada County Campus, which opened in 1996. Throughout the year, the college has hosted anniversary events across its campuses, with more planned in the months ahead, including a community Open House held in conjunction with the college’s annual Preview Day on Oct. 3, 2026. During the event, community members, prospective students and families will be able to:
- Take a guided tour of campus
- Tour our new gym and all athletic facilities
- Experience our award-winning Nursing program facilities
- Meet staff and see our Applied Technology team in action with demonstrations from advanced manufacturing, mechatronics and welding
- Explore our nationally ranked Natural History Museum
- Visit with faculty and staff from a variety of academic programs and student services
About Sierra College
Sierra College is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.