Kansas Board of Regents Reports Enrollment Growth in Public Higher Education System
Enrollment Increase Overview
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Board of Regents reported a 4% increase in student enrollment across the state’s public higher education system as of October 2, 2024. This information follows the release of preliminary census day figures by the Board.
Sector-Specific Growth
The report reveals growth in all sectors, including public universities, community colleges, and technical colleges. The overall system recorded an increase of 4.0% in headcount compared to the same period last year. Specifically, the six state universities reported an increase of 2,093 students, equating to a 2.3% rise. Community colleges experienced an enrollment boost of 3,602 students, representing a 5.9% increase, while technical colleges noted a growth of 576 students, or 5.3%.
Notable University Enrollment Changes
Significant enrollment gains were observed at Washburn University, including the Washburn Institute of Technology, which reported an increase of 524 students, amounting to a 7.6% rise. Additionally, the University of Kansas recorded a 5.6% increase in overall enrollment, marking the highest growth since the institution’s establishment 159 years ago.
Other University Trends
Conversely, Emporia State University noted an overall enrollment decrease of 2.2%. However, the university recorded a 16% increase in incoming freshmen, transfers, and graduate students. Kansas State University continued its growth trend for the third consecutive year, achieving an overall enrollment increase of 2.8%.
Factors Contributing to Enrollment Growth
The enrollment increases are attributed to enhanced affordability and accessibility initiatives, as stated by Kansas Board of Regents Chair Carl Ice. Detailed enrollment statistics are available through the Kansas Board of Regents’ statistics portal.
Contact Information
For further inquiries, the Kansas Board of Regents can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at (785) 430-4237.
(Source: WIBW)