For the seventh year in a row, a record number of students are taking classes at the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities. Nearly 90 percent of the students enrolled this fall are Pennsylvania residents.

Enrollment is up for the 12th consecutive year across PASSHE, with nine of the universities breaking their own all-time enrollment records. An additional 2,169 students are attending PASSHE universities this semester over Fall 2007.

With another year of record enrollment, PASSHE remains the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth.

Minority enrollment also is at an all-time high. A record 13,064 minority students – 11.6 percent of the total student enrollment – are taking classes at PASSHE universities this semester.

“The continued enrollment growth across PASSHE is a strong endorsement of our universities,” said Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh. “The combination of quality and affordability the universities provide represents real value for our students, their families and the Commonwealth.”

PASSHE universities are the lowest-cost option among all four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. The Board of Governors in July approved a $181 tuition increase for the current school year. It was the fourth consecutive year tuition was raised at or below the rate of inflation. A full year’s tuition at a PASSHE university now costs $5,358 and the total cost of attendance – including tuition, required fees, room and board and books – averages about $13,000 for Pennsylvania residents.

While striving to keep costs affordable, PASSHE universities also are continually enhancing their academic programs, and have developed a number of new programs in recent years to address the changing workforce needs of employers across the Commonwealth. The vast majority of PASSHE’s academic programs are accredited by professional organizations nationally, another indication of their quality.

Now in its 25^th year, PASSHE through its 14 universities offers more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 405,000 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 Pennsy

Fall 2008 Enrollment by University

University Enrollment

Bloomsburg 8,855*

California 8,519*

Cheyney 1,488

Clarion 7,100*

East Stroudsburg 7,234*

Edinboro 7,671

Indiana 14,310

Kutztown 10,393*

Lock Haven 5,266

Mansfield 3,422

Millersville 8,320*

Shippensburg 7,942*

Slippery Rock 8,458*

West Chester 13,619*

PASSHE Total 112,597*

* Record