Large graduating senior class combined with COVID depresses enrollment at Washburn

Washburn University showed increases in all new student categories of enrollment. This academic year, the university saw increases in the freshman class (up 2.9 percent), in transfer students (up 4.5 percent), in international students (up 4.9 percent) as well as in law students and graduate students (up 4.4 percent.)

Washburn Tech reported significant increases in the student population this year with a 11.2 percent overall increase. Combined, the two campuses saw a 1.5 percent decrease in overall enrollment.

“Last year, we graduated a senior class which was significantly larger than the three classes which follow,” said Jerry Farley, president of Washburn University. “That was one factor in reducing the number of students. In addition, COVID led some students to postpone their college education. Those two factors combined to create a dip in enrollment despite our success in attracting new students.”

Farley noted that COVID impacted enrollments at every college campus in Kansas, but he expects Washburn’s overall enrollments will begin to climb in the next year with continuing success in attracting new students.

“There are significant numbers of job openings -- particularly in technical fields -- gives our graduates an important advantage,” Farley said. “Many industries are facing the retirement of large segments of their skilled workforce and that translates into a strong demand for our graduates.”

The demand for specialized training is expected to continue for some time so Farley said he expects to see continued growth at Washburn Tech.

Farley said the university expects overall enrollments to turn around in the coming year when the strong performance at Washburn Tech is coupled with the success of the university campus in attracting new students across a number of categories.