The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) experienced the largest total enrollment increase in its more than 26-year history this fall, with nearly 117,000 students taking classes at the 14 universities.

The 4,338-student increase over last fall’s total marks the 13^th consecutive year of higher enrollment and the eighth year in a row of record enrollment for PASSHE. A total of 116,935 full- and part-time students are enrolled in classes this semester. Nearly 90 percent are Pennsylvania residents.

PASSHE remains the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth.

Minority enrollment also is at an all-time high. A record total of 13,860 minority students—nearly 12 percent of the total student population—are taking classes at PASSHE universities.

“PASSHE universities offer students and their families a tremendous educational value—a strong combination of quality and affordability,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh. “Our continued enrollment growth over more than a decade, including this year’s record increase, is a strong indicator that PASSHE universities are providing students and the Commonwealth what they want and need.”

PASSHE universities represent the best value among all four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. A full year’s tuition at a PASSHE university is $5,554 and the total cost of attendance—including tuition, required fees, room and board and books—averages about $14,500. That total is below the average among all four-year public colleges and universities in the nation and is significantly below the amount charged by other institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region, according to The College Board.

PASSHE’s Board of Governors has limited tuition increases in recent years to help ensure the universities remain affordable. Annual increases have been below the rate of inflation in four of the last five years, and this year’s increase was a modest 3.7 percent. The total overall increase over the past five years has been among the lowest in the nation, according to an annual survey conducted by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board.

While seeking to keep costs affordable, PASSHE universities are continually enhancing their academic programs, the vast majority of which are accredited by professional organizations nationally. Several of the universities have been recognized recently for their quality and value by such well-respected publications as The Princeton Review, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and U.S. News & World Report.

The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Approximately 454,000 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, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.

Fall 2009 Enrollment by University

UniversityEnrollment

Bloomsburg9,512*

California9,017*

Cheyney1,488

Clarion7,346*

East Stroudsburg7,576*

Edinboro8,287*

Indiana14,638*

Kutztown 10,634*

Lock Haven5,329*

Mansfield3,569*

Millersville8,427*

Shippensburg8,253*

Slippery Rock8,648*

West Chester 14,211*

PASSHE Total 116,935*

* Record