ST. GEORGE — Enrollment at Dixie State College has been dropping over the past three years, and that trend must be reversed if Washington County's economy is to remain robust, according to Richard Kendell, Utah's commissioner of higher education.

"There is a strong relationship between economic development and college completion," Kendell told members of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. "Most jobs in the future will require some post-secondary education. I'm not advocating everyone have a bachelor's degree, but they do need a combination of high-quality training and some post-secondary education."

Kendell said up to 50 percent of new college students at Dixie State drop out or take a break in their education after only one year in school.

"I know some of it is for going on (LDS Church) missions, but a lot of students are leaving for the money they can make in construction. When you're a high school graduate and you can make $14 or $16 an hour, that's pretty good," he said. "But once they leave, many students don't come back. We must get this turned around. Enrollment must increase if this institution is to thrive."

Dixie State College offers four-year degrees in biology, business administration, computer and information technology, communication and new media, elementary education, English and nursing. College President Lee Caldwell said Dixie State must continue to add more bachelor's-degree choices in order to attract more students.

"We are going to lose 400 students this year because they will have earned their associate degree and can't go on at Dixie," Caldwell said. "They'd like to go on and get a bachelor's degree, but the program they want isn't available at Dixie State."

Most college students consider three elements when choosing an educational institution, he said.

"They consider the proximity to their home, the amenities the college offers and if the programs they want to take are offered," Caldwell said. "All three of those elements have a huge impact on retention and completion rates of students."

College enrollment figures in Washington County are not keeping up with population growth, he noted.

"Our population is radically different than it was five years ago. In 2000, we had 10,000 residents in the 25 to 34 age group, and in 2005, we more than doubled that amount. That's our single largest population age segment," Caldwell said. "Many of them are moving here from northern Utah with an associate degree and need to finish their bachelor's degree. We've got to become more creative and innovative in reaching them."

The percentage of Washington County residents in the 25 to 34 age group holding a bachelor's degree dropped over that five-year period from 17.4 percent to 16.7 percent, according to the data compiled from the 2000 Census report and the 2005 American Community Survey. The same study showed the percentage of people aged 25 to 34 with a bachelor's degree actually increased in Davis, Salt Lake, Cache and Utah counties.

"There have been three consecutive years of declining enrollment at Dixie State College," said Kendell, who owns a home in Coral Canyon in Washington City.

The Dixie State College Board of Trustees will meet Friday at 9 a.m. in the Gardner Center on campus to discuss the "continuous decline in the educational attainment rate in Washington County." The public is invited to attend and offer comments, Caldwell said.

---

E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com