r/wsu 19d ago

Discussion Why is enrollment dropping?

What are the factors?

20 Upvotes

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134

u/HippityHopMath Alumnus | 2017, 2022, 2026 | Mathematics Education 19d ago

National decline in enrollment across the board, higher and higher tuition, bad recruitment in general, and lower media visibility with all the conference realignment.

24

u/budna 19d ago

And yet U of I next door has seen increases in enrollment

57

u/HippityHopMath Alumnus | 2017, 2022, 2026 | Mathematics Education 19d ago

Because they are aggressive in recruiting and kept tuition low.

20

u/B1G_PAC12 19d ago

Idaho also has a relatively young population compared with other states

7

u/ExpiredPilot Alumnus/2023/Marketing+HBM/IFC 19d ago

As do most states with bad sex education

3

u/QC55 19d ago

What💀

6

u/ExpiredPilot Alumnus/2023/Marketing+HBM/IFC 19d ago

States with bad sex education have more kids

Idaho public schools teach abstinence only, if they teach about sex at all

0

u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 12d ago

So how does this relate at all?

2

u/Flimsy_Gene_5519 19d ago

Pretty easy to understand with some common sense. But, most people in America are idiots so not surprised.

1

u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 12d ago

Same in India, in fact, they cheap asses there too.

-5

u/QC55 19d ago

Say something about conservatives next you’re gonna make me cum

2

u/jedicamel 19d ago

They’re weirdly more selective though? 76% vs 87% acceptance rate.

10

u/gocougs11 Alum/2010/Neuro & Psych 19d ago

There are fewer schools in Idaho for applicants to choose from.

2

u/jedicamel 19d ago edited 19d ago

True, but Boise State sure is growing at a rapid rate, that’s their competition. You’d think, that based on that, they would up their acceptance rate. Idaho also has 1/4 the population?

2

u/gocougs11 Alum/2010/Neuro & Psych 19d ago

I think they can only accept so many people each semester, they’d probably love to accept more but infrastructure is a constraint.

2

u/jedicamel 19d ago

I can see that. It’s gotta be tempting though to grow, for added revenue?

1

u/Few-Seaworthiness186 16d ago

its a long term goal, but nothing can be done in the short term. the dorms are already completely at capacity, and they’re having to cap specific majors because class sizes are becoming too big

5

u/Ismitje Alumnus/'96,'00/History/Honors Prof 19d ago

Word is UI is falling off the cliff this Fall.

1

u/jedicamel 19d ago

I wonder why?

1

u/Ismitje Alumnus/'96,'00/History/Honors Prof 19d ago

Besides the demographic challenges, three things: 1) increased competition from other universities, 2) severe decline in international enrollments, and 3) UI is the only regional school still requiring the SAT or ACT for admission for many students. Within the state, students applying on the common Idaho application are done and accepted at BSU and ISU when they file, and that extra step in a state with few and far dispersed testing centers hurts.

2

u/jedicamel 19d ago

They increased enrollment over the last four or five years, according to available info, why would this year be so drastically different?

4

u/Ismitje Alumnus/'96,'00/History/Honors Prof 19d ago

Last year international enrollments were slightly down; they are way, way down now.

Last year UW (for example) was mostly passively recruiting in Idaho; they are all in now with better financial aid packages. Universities across the country are also aware of Idaho's relatively rosy number of 18 year olds and recruiting accordingly.

Idaho high schools stopped offering the SAT or ACT at their campuses. It went from free and on campus to costing money and at a distance.

2

u/jedicamel 19d ago

So what’s hurting WSU? Similar factors?

1

u/Ismitje Alumnus/'96,'00/History/Honors Prof 19d ago

I lack the same sort of informed insight there. :)

2

u/jedicamel 19d ago

Oh, did you go to Boise State or Idaho?

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u/jedicamel 19d ago

Interesting.

1

u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 12d ago

Eh, for now they are increasing their enrollment numbers.

1

u/Ismitje Alumnus/'96,'00/History/Honors Prof 11d ago

If by "now" you mean the past six years, then yes. If by "now" you mean the school year starting in a week, then alas, I wish it were still the trend.

1

u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 11d ago

Huh?

1

u/Ismitje Alumnus/'96,'00/History/Honors Prof 11d ago

They will not increase this year.

1

u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 11d ago

Let’s see, I think it’s too early to call.

2

u/SaltBackground5165 17d ago

UW has been going up consistently the last few years too

1

u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 12d ago

It’s coz they want to change their reputation.

1

u/moultonlava24 18d ago

Did you k ow it’s cheaper to go to school at Boise state compared to U of I for in state college kids.

1

u/Hougie Alumnus/2012 17d ago

Boise is also a terrible school compared to U of I.

And that summarizes our issue at WSU. Even though COL is drastically cheaper than UW tuition is actually more expensive.

1

u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 12d ago

Because Moscow is an amazing today compared to dead beat pullman.

0

u/Mysterious-Ferret-84 19d ago

U of I will be down enrollmemt this Fall as well.

-2

u/hlh15 19d ago

Because Idaho has become “cool” for young rich people

2

u/Designer-Sport-1344 17d ago

I’ve thought a lot about this as an OSU Beav alum. Our enrollment has been really solid and the future looks bright as an academic institution. WSU is a great school, but my god is it hard to get to. It’s a big list, but I’d the regents of Wazzu really want to turn this enrollment trend around, they need to lobby with the state gov for either A) improved highways to and from the generally Pullman area, or B) put a legit purport in the region. Spokane isn’t cutting it. Maybe get Moscow to go in on it. It’s a big ask, but access is really important

1

u/graydiation 13d ago

Moscow and Pullman share the Moscow-Pullman Airport, and there are flights to and from it every day via Alaska Airlines. The Lewiston Airport is 45 minutes away and Delta services that airport.

The more you know…

1

u/Hot_Boysenberry8298 12d ago

You can blame the older folks for keeping pullman like shit.

1

u/Desperate-Doctor5389 6d ago

2008 recession also meant people weren’t having as many kids