Fewer students at WSU Tri-Cities campus, Global campus registration is up

PULLMAN, Wash.-- Washington State University released its Fall 2020 enrollment numbers, showing about 1.4% fewer students enrolled in classes.

While most campuses, including the Tri-Cities campus, saw slight declines in overall enrollment, the university's Global Campus aw a 23.2% hike in enrollment.

The Global Campus is WSU's fully on-line educational program, with 4,021 students taking classes exclusively online, a 750 student hike over last year, helping to offset declines at other physical campuses.

System-wide, WSU's overall enrollment for for Fall 2020 totals 31,159 students following the decision in July to transition all physical campuses to distance learning models for the fall semester. 

“Despite the ongoing global pandemic, WSU has managed to retain the majority of its enrollment growth over the past five years and continues to offer a robust educational experience—predominantly at a distance this semester,” said WSU Provost and Executive Vice President Elizabeth Chilton. “We’ve encouraged students to continue on their path to obtaining a college degree, and it’s clear they are embracing that.” 

WSU Health Sciences Spokane and WSU Everett also saw enrollment increases compared to Fall 2019. Campuses in Pullman, Vancouver and Tri-Cities saw declines. 

At the Tri-Cities Campus, overall enrollment fell 5.4% to 1,716 students. However, the branch in Richland saw 42.5% growth in first-generation students and 60% growth in the number of female students. 

Meanwhile, the number of undergraduates, including former students who return to complete their WSU degrees, has increased. Enrollment in WSU Global’s business program alone increased by more than 50 percent, from 796 students to nearly 1,200.