Nearly 106,000 students are taking classes this fall at the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities – a record enrollment for the third straight year.

Overall enrollment is up for the eighth consecutive year across PASSHE, with nine of the universities breaking their own all-time enrollment records. With 105,902 students enrolled – more than 90 percent of them Pennsylvania residents – PASSHE continues to be the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth.

“Pennsylvania continues to experience tremendous demand for higher education,” said Chancellor Judy G. Hample. “As we continue to grow to meet those demands, PASSHE universities remain committed to providing high quality education at an affordable price. As Pennsylvania’s public universities, we take very seriously our responsibility to the Commonwealth and its taxpayers as we prepare our students to become the leaders of tomorrow.”

An additional 1,686 students are attending PASSHE universities this semester over Fall 2003. The enrollment total breaks the previous record of 104,216 students who took classes at PASSHE universities last year.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 400,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.

Fall 2004 Enrollment by University

University Enrollment

Bloomsburg 8,304*

California 6,640

Cheyney 1,545

Clarion 6,421

East Stroudsburg 6,553*

Edinboro 7,773

Indiana13,998

Kutztown 9,585*

Lock Haven 5,126*

Mansfield 3,556*

Millersville 7,998*

Shippensburg 7,653*

Slippery Rock 7,928*

West Chester 12,822*

PASSHE Total 105,902*

* Record