Community colleges aren’t just part of the higher ed landscape — they are its backbone. A recent New York Times article put the numbers in stark relief: 43% of undergraduates in the U.S. attend community colleges, and nearly three in four are enrolled part time. As the Times noted, “Community colleges, along with regional public universities, are the workhorses of higher education in the United States.”
That’s a huge share of America’s students — nearly half. And it’s why we at iFactory are so committed to working alongside you.
The Real Face of Higher Education
The Times article makes it clear: The traditional image of the college student doesn’t fit. Almost half of undergraduates are at community colleges, and the vast majority of them are enrolled part time, fitting courses around jobs and families.
43% of undergraduates attend community colleges.
75% of community college students are enrolled part time.
Community colleges educate millions. That means they have an out-sized impact on access and opportunity, with a much smaller share of the available resources.
Community Colleges as Lifelines
The Typical College Student Is Not Who You Think captured it perfectly:
“Community colleges, along with regional public universities, are the workhorses of higher education in the United States.”
Community colleges are lifelines. They provide affordable, flexible pathways to opportunity. They don’t just open doors; they keep them open for students who might otherwise be left out altogether.
And they do more than deliver degrees. You connect students to local employers. You provide advising and tutoring. You run food pantries, childcare centers, and counseling offices that help students stay enrolled despite the obstacles life puts in their way.
That’s not just education. That’s transformation — for individuals, for families, and for entire communities.
Community College Website Design Case Studies
At iFactory, our mission is simple: to strengthen higher education in a time of uncertainty. For us, that means standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the institutions that are doing the most important work for the students who need it most.
We’ve been privileged to partner with community colleges such as:
San Jacinto College (TX) — We built a mobile-first experience that put programs, advising, and enrollment tools within reach of students on the go.
Lane Community College (OR) — Facing application drop-off, Lane needed a student-centered application process. We simplified the flow, reduced barriers, and highlighted support services.
St. Cloud Technical & Community College (MN) — We streamlined content, improved navigation, and made career-focused pathways easy to discover, including a personality-type career finder based on the Holland Model.
North Hennepin Community College (MN) — We put advising, financial aid, and other support services front and center, while improving SEO to connect with more prospective students.
While each project was unique, they shared the same basic North Star goal: Making it easier for students to find what they need, act quickly, and keep going.
Your students don’t have hours to explore a complicated site that is structured to align with your internal office and departmental structure. They need to find what they’re looking for quickly, whether that’s registering for classes, locating advising, or learning how to transfer credits.
If your site is confusing, cluttered, or slow, you risk losing them.
That’s why clarity, speed, and usability are so critical.
Our Commitment to Community Colleges
We see the small teams doing big things. We see the innovation you bring to tight budgets. We see the long hours spent supporting students whose lives are complex and demanding. We see you working so hard that you are on the edge of burnout.
And we’re proud to stand with you.
Our role is simple but potent: We help you remove barriers by providing simple, easy-to-use tools that support your students’ success and let you engage them in the process. Tools that make it easier for students to register, find support, and persist. Tools that tell your story, connect you with your communities, and show the true value you deliver every day.
Because when your students succeed, your colleges thrive. And when your colleges thrive, your communities get stronger.
At iFactory, we believe in your mission. We’re here to help you keep transforming lives. And we’re proud to be in this with you. Most importantly, we want you to know we’re here to help you continue to evolve and thrive. That’s our promise to our client partners.