Pittsburg State announces record enrollment

Pittsburg State University has recorded the largest enrollment in its 104-year history with 7,087 students enrolled in classes this fall semester. The numbers were released today by the Kansas Board of Regents. This is the first time PSU has topped the 7,000 mark.

Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant said today’s numbers are the result of efforts to maintain a moderate enrollment pace. “This is the kind of growth we are looking for, particularly considering our needs for parking, housing, health services and classroom space,” he said. “The integration of several different variables brought about this increase, but our faculty and innovative programs continue to be the biggest reasons students choose Pittsburg State.”

Enrollment growth appeared across the board in both graduate and undergraduate areas. Compared to last year’s total enrollment of 6, 859 students, undergraduate enrollment went up 2.2 percent while graduate enrollment went up 9.2 percent this year. Students enrolled in a total of 93,798 credit hours – a number that has climbed by approximately 15,000 hours over the past 10 years.

The most important area of growth, said Bryant, is in full-time equivalent students. While total headcount went up 3.3 percent this year, full-time equivalent students went up 4 percent.

“What this means is that our growth is in real people who are taking classes on-campus,” Bryant said, adding that this kind of increase has a significant effect on the dollars spent in the area economy. “Our headcount and full-time equivalency are closer than any other university in Kansas. Students still come to Pittsburg State for the complete educational experience and everything that goes along with it.”

At 1,062 students, this year’s new freshman enrollment is the highest it has been since 1965. The numbers also show the university’s highest junior and senior enrollment in the past decade. The university’s continuing education enrollment numbers are also higher than ever.

For more information, contact PSU Registrar Debbie Greve at 620-235-4205 or Dr. William Ivey in the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Success at 620-235-4109.

---Pitt State---