October 07, 1999
STATE SYSTEM ENROLLMENT INCREASES FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Enrollment at the 14 State System of Higher Education universities increased this fall, marking the third straight year the number of students attending Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities has risen.
Half of the 14 universities showed enrollment gains this fall over a year ago. There are 95,088 students enrolled in State System universities this semester, an increase of 36 students over the 1998 figure.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania experienced the largest increase, enrolling 314 more students than a year ago. Other universities with large increases include Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with 166 more students; Clarion University of Pennsylvania, which boosted enrollment by 162 students; Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, which added 139 students, representing the largest percentage increase; and Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, which increased enrollment by 84 students.
The universities enrolled a record number of African-American and Latino students this fall, also continuing an upward trend. There are a total of 5,718 African-American students taking classes at the 14 State System universities and 1,174 Latino students.
The three straight years of enrollment increases follow a previous five-year decline.
“The continuing enrollment growth is testament to the high quality education our universities provide,” said Chancellor James H. McCormick. “It demonstrates the confidence students and their families have in our schools, and in their ability to prepare them for their future careers.”
The State System’s primary mission is to provide students with a high quality education at an affordable cost. Tuition and fees at the 14 universities are the lowest among all four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.
The State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 350,000 System 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. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and the University Center for Southwest Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resource Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.