Fall 2023 Enrollment Is Second Highest in College History
Wilson College proudly announced October 3 that it has reached the second highest total enrollment in its history, with 1,555 enrolled students at the Fall 2023 Census. The figure represents a 14 percent increase over Fall 2022 enrollment and the highest enrollment since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are delighted that an increased number of students will receive a transformative Wilson College education,” President Wesley R. Fugate said. “Students and their families are responding to the College’s focus on affordability while delivering a career- oriented education with a strong liberal-arts foundation to ensure that our graduates can navigate the ever- changing world – truly the best of both worlds. We are proud to deliver that education to students from all over the world as a result of our programs in Chambersburg, at various sites around Pennsylvania, and through our robust online offerings.”
Traditional enrollments take the lead
Among the categories of students leading the enrollment surge were traditional-age undergraduates in
college for the first time. The number of first-year students increased by 32 percent compared to Fall 2022 numbers.
Three other groups stand out for their jumps in year-over- year enrollment. Wilson’s Teacher Certification Program saw an increase of 66 students, 24.8 percent more than in 2022-23. Thirty-four undergraduate
and graduate degree seekers enrolled in Wilson College Online, and non- degree high school/dual enrollment students increased by 24.5 percent, with 12 students enrolled.
More students are staying
Every college and university experiences some amount of student attrition from year to year. Changing majors, going through a significant life event, and wanting to be closer to or farther away from home are just a few common reasons that students transfer. The goal of any college is to keep that number as low as possible. At Wilson, those numbers are trending downward for first- and second-year students. From Fall 2021 to Fall 2022, for example, the attrition rate for first- to second-year students fell 8 percentage points – meaning that more students are staying. This is a trend among post-pandemic enrollments that we are working to continue.
Bouncing back post-pandemic
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilson College was considered the 25th fastest growing higher-education institution in the country. When pandemic restrictions took hold and created unprecedented upheaval at every level of education, Wilson – along with many other colleges and universities – experienced a downturn in enrollment.
At the time, Wilson had just embarked on a new strategic plan, led by its then newly appointed president (Fugate took the helm in January 2020), to expand programming and resources and to make a Wilson education more accessible. The College community embraced Fugate’s deeply felt vision for Wilson
as an institution that would ensure its own future and serve students through strategic growth.
“With the increased financial pressures on post-secondary education institutions as we seek to deliver the highest quality education experience, the reality is that for institutions to thrive into the future, the only option is growth,” Fugate says. “Our strategic plan calls for Wilson to modestly grow its traditional-aged undergraduate programs and seek significant growth in the adult and graduate education space. As this year’s enrollment suggests, the plan is successfully bearing fruit.”
One critical piece of the strategy was to launch Wilson College Online, which in the era of remote school and work, proved to be the right tool at the right time. Offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, education, and nursing, the online platform launched in Spring 2023.
It takes a village (with a shared vision)
The Fall 2023 enrollment reflects a commitment to its vision of making an excellent higher education experience accessible. The College’s enrollment and financial aid services work hand in hand to ensure that qualified students don’t slip through the cracks.
“Everyone in enrollment management understands that not all students and families are experts at navigating the financial aid or student accounts processes, so we invite all students to set up an individual appointment to review their financial aid offer,” says Bill Sommers, vice president for enrollment management. He notes that commitment to access and teamwork are in play well before students enroll. “Faculty, staff, current students, their parents, and alumni all play an important role in achieving new student enrollment goals. It takes a village to make it happen.”
