By Maegan Murray, WSU Tri-Cities
RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri-Cities continues to set enrollment records with 17 percent growth from last fall, according to official numbers released Friday.
Enrolled students, which includes undergraduate, transfer and graduate students, total 1,868 – an increase of 275 students compared to last fall. Included in that growth, WSU Tri-Cities welcomed 284 transfer students, which marks a 35.2 percent increase in that category from last fall.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the rate at which WSU Tri-Cities is growing, while not compromising on the preparedness of our students, as well as the diversity of our student body,” WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Keith Moo-Young said. “Our growth is truly a reflection of the excellent programs, career opportunities and volunteer experiences our students observe.”
WSU Tri-Cities is recognized as having a very diverse student population, with 33.5 percent of students identifying as minorities, 58.5 percent female and 38.4 percent first generation college students. Of the new freshman on campus, 58.8 percent identify as first generation, which is 21.2 percent higher than the average first generation new freshmen in the WSU system.
Moo-Young said through the construction of WSU Tri-Cities’ first student union building, in addition to the construction of the student housing complex, the university continues to grow the resources available to students, which has also had an impact on the positive enrollment trajectory.
“As we continue to grow in numbers, we also continue to grow in programs available to students and in physical infrastructure,” he said. “These university improvements will continue to have a positive effect on our growth as a campus and in our ability to meet the industry needs by supplying career-ready graduates in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields.”
Learn more about WSU Tri-Cities and its commitment to dynamic student engagement, dynamic research experiences and dynamic community engagement at http://tricities.wsu.edu.