Odessa College, which started with 184 students in 1946, has grown steadily through the years with around 5,000 students enrolled in University-parallel and occupational/technical credit courses and an annual enrollment of 11,000 individuals in basic adult education, continuing education or community recreation courses. Most of the University-parallel courses are offered for students planning to complete four-year degrees at senior Colleges or Universities. Odessa offers programs in the fields of accounting, law, medicine, music, public administration, and teaching.