WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Some Kansas universities are seeing enrollment increases this fall.
Wichita State University and the University of Kansas both have record-high enrollments, with more than 23,800 students and more than 30,700 students, respectively.
Kansas State University also saw increases, attributing them in large part to outreach and affordability.
This year, the university saw an increase in Pell Grant-eligible students, first-generation students, and first-time freshmen.
The university is focused on building partnerships with high schools around Kansas to encourage students to consider college a possibility and increase need-based aid, partially through the land grant promise program.
It gives full-time income-qualifying students grants and scholarship aid, covering the cost of a full class load each semester.
“We know that students who come here are really successful, and they thrive, and so that can kind of speak for itself when we get students on campus,” said Karen Goos, K-State Vice Provost for enrollment.
Meanwhile, KU is focusing on bringing in students from outside Kansas. Many students come from big cities out of state where KU has recruiters. Nearly half of their freshman class this year comes from out of state.
“They’re not always just coming here and then leaving right after school,” said Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, KU news and media relations director. “Our surveys tell us that about a third of them are going to stay in the Kansas workforce after graduation.”
WSU’s administration says its hands-on learning style makes it more appealing to students. Students I spoke with agree.
“I’ve always heard the big industries are looking for people who have had years of experience, and not just in the classroom,” said Emma Ewing, a freshman industrial engineering student.
Work opportunities are a big factor in Ewing’s choice.
“You can start as a freshman, and once you graduate four or five years later, you have that experience, and you’re ready to get into the workforce,” Ewing said.
“When I was choosing engineering I knew I wanted internships to be my priority,” said Jesus Gael Lezama, a freshman electrical engineering student.
According to WSU leadership, hands on experience is something they’ve been pushing for a decade.
They believe it’s the driving force behind enrollment boosts.
“Students want that hands on learning experience, and so we believe that is a draw point for students when they come to Wichita State,” said Ashlie Jack, WSU senior associate vice president.
Affordability is another factor, with students drawn in by in-state tuition and scholarship opportunities from Oklahoma and from Texas
“It was cheaper than Oklahoma University and Oklahoma State,” said Lezama.
“With the opportunities available to me as far as research and all that goes, Wichita State was one of the best value universities I could attend,” said Danial Siddiqui, a first year aerospace engineering student.
