PennWest enrollment declines slightly but is 'steadying,' official says

During her first semester at Kent State University in fall 2023, Alison Jones realized she wanted to attend a smaller university where she would be able to make her mark.

“Kent was a little too big for me,” said Jones, 20, of Edinboro. “Transferring to Edinboro, there’s obviously a lot less students here, in a good way. Being here now, I’m more able to get involved in a lot more than I was at Kent.”

Those thoughts two years ago have borne out: Jones transferred to Pennsylvania Western University at Edinboro in Spring 2024 and is now a junior, with an interdisciplinary studies major and involved in a sorority, cheer team, holds two on-campus jobs and is part of PennWest’s Leadership Academy.

She’s among the growing number of transfer students helping to stabilize PennWest’s enrollment figures.

“I’ve always been a part of it, and it made sense for me to come home,” Jones said. “I feel very prepared for job interviews.”

Although this fall’s enrollment at Pennsylvania Western University — which encompasses an online college, in addition to campuses at California, Clarion and Edinboro — has decreased by 2.46% from last year, officials are optimistic after seeing gains in online enrollment, transfer students and dual enrollment, where high school students can earn college credit.

The student body this fall includes 7,331 undergraduates, 3,051 graduate students and 166 doctoral candidates.

It’s the smallest enrollment reduction figure at PennWest, or at the three campuses before they merged in 2022, in the past 15 years, said James Fisher, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“We’re seeing a steadying of enrollment after a couple years of enrollment declines,” he said.

Online enrollment grew to 4,448 students, which is an 8% increase from last fall, Fisher said.

Some of PennWest’s undergraduate programming is offered completely online, like a growing and popular bachelor’s degree in social work, he said. PennWest also has one of the larger populations of adult students across the state system of higher education, he said.

“Flexibility in online programming is a benefit to adult students,” he said.

Dual enrollment surged by 270%, with 340 students from 90 area school districts, Fisher said.

Fisher attributes the jump in dual enrollment to reduced tuition rates — $75 a credit — a more simplified application and expanding access.

“We really doubled down on our relationship with school districts in Western Pennsylvania,” he said. “We wanted to get the word out about this option.

“We feel we’re poised for greater growth.”

Most popular undergraduate majors include early childhood development, nursing and psychology; and top graduate programs including counseling, library science and social work, according to PennWest.

By campus, California reported 2,493 students this fall, with stable freshman enrollment, Fisher said. Clarion had 1,547 students, with a 6.28% increase in first-year students from last fall.

Edinboro had 2,060 students and a slight decrease in first-year students, but a 14% increase in new transfer students, Fisher said.

“We accept with integrity the maximum number of credits,” Fisher said. “We make sure the process is as smooth as possible.”

Said Jones: “It was a pretty easy process to transfer.”

Fisher also attributes a drop in headcount to a larger class graduating from PennWest last spring.

Fisher said there’s no evidence to indicate the growth in transfer students is related to Penn State closing three of its branch campuses at the end of the spring 2027 semester, including its New Kensington, Fayette and Shenango campuses.

Higher education experts project a “demographic cliff” in undergraduate enrollment, tied to declining birth rates. Experts say the number of high school graduates in Pennsylvania is anticipated to drop 17% by 2041.

Additionally, a September Gallup poll reports the percentage of Americans saying college is “very important” has fallen to 35%.

Fisher said that’s why it’s more important than ever for colleges to continue to serve their communities and have better relationships with their area school districts.

One such example is PennWest’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, and the university partnering with Google to expand AI training for students.

“We’re making sure we’re serving the communities in Western Pennsylvania, and the relationship with school districts is important for any good enrollment strategy,” Fisher said.