For the first time in nine years, Kansas State University is up in enrollment.
Data released by the Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday showed K-State’s headcount enrollment at all campuses at 19,745, a modest gain of 23 students from the fall 2022 semester. Overall it represents about a tenth of a percentage point gain, a positive sign that perhaps the university is turning a corner on its strategic enrollment plan.
Over the past decade, enrollment at K-State peaked in 2014 at 24,766, before declining every year until this fall, dipping below 20,000 for the first time last fall.
Undergraduate enrollment improved by 0.4%, while graduate enrollment saw a modest decrease of 1%. Officials said the Manhattan and Olathe campuses both saw slight declines at 0.8% and 1.6%, respectively.
Overall, the university says first-time freshman enrollment was up 9%, the largest class since the strategic enrollment efforts began in 2019. In-state enrollment was up 6.8%, while out-of-state enrollment grew 15.1%.
K-State wasn’t the only Board of Regents school celebrating enrollment gains Wednesday.
Elsewhere across the state, the public higher education system experienced a 2% rise in attendance, despite a 12.5% decline at Emporia State University, where a controversial overhaul is currently underway.
The University of Kansas saw enrollment climb to 22,187, a gain of 7.5% over last year and its highest enrollment figure in 10 years.
Pittsburg State also saw a 0.5% increase in enrollment, while Fort Hays State and Wichita State both saw declines.
Manhattan Area Technical College saw its total headcount at 958, an increase of 41 students (4.5%). MATC saw just a slight decrease of six full time equivalent students from the previous year. Overall technical colleges were up 8.6% in enrollment from last fall.
A link to the full report is available below.
2023 Fall Prelimary Enrollment