PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University officials report record fall enrollment numbers again this year.
This fall the total number of students at the university’s four campuses increased from 21,248 to 21,794, a 2.5 percent growth.
The freshmen class on the Pullman campus is the second largest in the university’s history and the most diverse ever with students of color totaling 409 or 15 percent of the class. The class total increased to 2,619 from a fall 2000 total of 2,473. Transfer students, too, increased this fall, from 1,318 to 1,329.
“We are pleased with these solid numbers,” said Charlene Jaeger, vice president for student affairs. “The university plans to attract the most able students to study at its campuses. We are interested in quality, not quantity.”
The average high school grade point for the new freshmen class is a 3.4.
Jim Rimpau, associate vice president for enrollment services, said enrollment of students of color on the Pullman campus grew 5.4 percent. African American numbers increased from 489 to 553, an increase of 63, or 13 percent. Asian American student numbers increased from 931 to 964, an increase of 33. Hispanic numbers are up to 606, from 582, an increase of 24. Native American totals were up to 278 from a fall 2000 number of 275.
University officials are pleased with increases in the number of students of color who enrolled for fall classes. The total represents more than 13 percent of WSU enrollment.
WSU Spokane student numbers increased from 672 to 720 for a 7.1 percent hike, the fastest growth rate. WSU Vancouver increased 60 from 1,618 to 1,678, or 3.7 percent. The Pullman campus increase amounted to 2.7 percent or a 473 increase to 18,321. While down less than 30 students, WSU Tri-Cities total met the university enrollment projection and is at 1,083.
“We also are pleased with the growth on the Pullman campus as well as the continuing number of students in the university’s Distance Degree Program,” Rimpau said.
“We plan to work closely with community colleges near our branch campuses to ensure that students will be able to continue their education and earn bachelor’s degrees,” Rimpau said.
“Our enrollment numbers are on track at all of the campuses,” said Jaeger. “But the bottom line at WSU is more about quality than quantity. This fall, the university launched a new outreach program to showcase its quality education and research programs entitled – ‘World Class. Face to Face.’”
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