As of the 2022-2023 school year, there were 100,575 students enrolled in the state’s six public universities, compared to 106,038 in 2014
TJ Martinell
The Center Square Washington
Washington state’s public universities are at their lowest combined levels of enrollment since 2014, according to state data.
As of the 2022-2023 school year, there were 100,575 students enrolled in the state’s six public universities, compared to 106,038 in 2014.
The number of students enrolled has been on a decline since the 2018-2019 school year, when there were 113,974 students. That number fell to 108,195 in 2020-2021, the same time when government-imposed lockdowns forced students to learn virtually. Student enrollment went up in 2021-2022 to 110,024.
However, not all universities are experiencing the same loss of enrollment during the same timeframe. The University of Washington’s student enrollment is at 48,501; although an increase from 44,709 in 2014, it’s a steep drop from 54,822 students in 2021-2022.
In the 10-year span, Evergreen State College’s enrollment fell from 4,144 students to just 1,785. Eastern Washington University has experienced a similar decline, from 10,236 students in 2014 to only 6,661 students in 2022-2023. Its student enrollment fell by almost 3,000 students, almost 30% of the total student body, between 2019-2023.
Western Washington University’s enrollment has remained relatively steady, at 12,565 students in 2014 to 11,944 in 2022-2023.
According to the Mountain States Policy Center, the number of students enrolled in both public and private universities has declined during the past decade from 249,330 to 204,956. Regionally, Montana has also seen total student enrollment decrease, while Idaho’s enrollment has remained stagnant.
The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center has been studying the effects of the 2020 lockdowns on student college enrollment nationwide since the summer of 2020. Their most recent report undergraduate enrollment increased this fall quarter for the first time since the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, though freshman enrollment declined from last year by 3.6% and is just .8% above 2021 fall enrollment numbers.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- State high school basketball: Celebrating a coaching connection at Camas and Fort Vancouver
Camas and Fort Vancouver saw their state playoff runs end on the same night, highlighting a unique coaching bond between Scott Thompson and James Jones. - $1B for WA broadband gets Trump administration approval
Federal approval unlocks over $1 billion to expand high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities across Washington. - WA passes legislation requiring no-cost insurance for state recommended vaccines
House Bill 2242 shifts the trigger for no-cost vaccine insurance coverage in Washington from federal recommendations to the state Department of Health. - Opinion: WA House Finance Committee passes income tax bill
Ryan Frost argues that ESSB 6346, which would impose a 9.9 percent income tax, advances to the House floor despite widespread opposition and ongoing budget growth. - Journey Theater presents Mary Poppins
Journey Theater will stage six performances of Mary Poppins at Fort Vancouver High School beginning March 6, featuring a cast of local youth performers. - Opinion: A-pillars – The safety feature that increases crashes
Doug Dahl explains how wider A-pillars designed to protect occupants in rollovers may also reduce visibility and increase crash risk for other road users. - Area cat rescue to host ‘Hisses Get Kisses’ online auction
Furry Friends will host its sixth annual online auction March 23–29 to help fund more than 900 projected spay and neuter surgeries and ongoing medical care for cats in Clark County.
