All the state regent schools in Kansas, minus one, saw an increase in enrollment this school year, with Emporia State University posting the largest increase at 5.8%, and increase of 263 students. ESU President Ken Hush attributed the growth to no tuition or fee increase for two years. They were followed by Kansas State University with a 4.6% increase, or 913 students, after a decade of decline. KU was up 1.2 percent%, Wichita State up 4.3%, Pittsburg State up a half a percent. The only school seeing a decline in enrollment was Fort Hays State, who lost 25 students.
Officials say that this may be the last for increases as the number of students graduating from Kansas high schools will begin decreasing next year, often referred to as an enrollment cliff. In addition, schools are already experiencing decreases in graduating high school students who enroll in higher education.
