Manhattan, KS— Kansas State University is seeing returns on strategic enrollment management efforts with more diversity among new students and increases in new freshman, transfer and graduate enrollment.
New freshman enrollment for fall 2022 increased by 2.1% across all campuses, including an increase of 2.9% on the Manhattan campus. The university also increased new transfer student enrollment by 1.3% and new graduate student enrollment by 1.5%, both across all campuses.
“The growth in our new student enrollment is significant,” said Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management. “This is one of our highest priorities at the university and is a sign that our strategic enrollment management efforts have us headed in the right direction.”
Increasing the diversity of incoming classes is a goal of the Action Plan for a More Inclusive K-State and one the university is achieving and earning attention nationally. African American/Black student enrollment increased by 14% and new Hispanic student enrollment is up 6%. K-State was recently recognized by Campus Pride as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly colleges in the nation and has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for the ninth year in a row for its diversity and inclusion efforts.
“This year’s freshman class is also academically strong, with an average GPA of 3.66, an average ACT score of 25.5 and an average SAT score of 1230, marking a 42-point increase,” said Chuck Taber, K-State provost. “The first-time freshman retention rate also was sustained at 86.1%.”
Taber noted that K-State has graduated a record number of students over the past several years, which contributes to the overall student enrollment decline of 2.5%. Fall 2022 student enrollment is 19,722 across all campuses.
While the Manhattan campus enrollment has declined by 4.4%, the university is seeing overall growth at its other campuses. K-State Salina, K-State Olathe and Global Campus realized overall enrollment increases of 7.3%, 2.4% and 5.8%, respectively.
Educational affordability is a priority of the university for long-term sustainable enrollment. K-State awards more than $72 million in general and merit-based scholarships annually as a commitment to providing opportunity and access to higher education. The university recently announced updates to its general scholarship program for in-state and out-of-state students beginning with the summer 2023 semester. Scholarships and grants will be automatically awarded when a student applies by the priority deadline. In-state students planning to attend the Manhattan, Salina or Olathe campuses are eligible for GPA-based and/or test-optional scholarships. The new Wildcat Nonresident Award offers high-performing out-of-state students in-state or highly reduced out-of-state tuition. In addition, the Land Grant Promise grant provides eligible, in-state students with a tuition-free path toward undergraduate education at K-State.
Goos said students and families recognize the value of a K-State degree.
“We have worked hard at connecting prospective students to the university,” Goos said. “The university provides a unique student-centered educational experience through active learning, meaningful research, civic engagement and leadership development that prepare graduates to contribute to society and improve their career prospects. We are pleased to see students from all over the world have chosen K-State to achieve their academic goals.”
