BY: SHERMAN SMITH
Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Emporia State University continues to lose students while the rest of the higher education system in Kansas reports enrollment increases in data released Wednesday by the Kansas Board of Regents.
The annual headcount for the fall semester shows enrollment at four-year state universities is up 2.3% overall, and systemwide enrollment — which includes two-year institutions and Washburn University — is up 4% from 2023.
But ESU, which fired tenured professors as part of plans to reshape the university’s offerings two years ago, showed a 2.2% enrollment decline. ESU’s enrolment is now down 22.5% over the past five years, while enrollment at other four-year schools is down 2.8% from pre-pandemic numbers.
The enrollment figures are based on preliminary data from the 20th day of fall classes.
Enrollment is up 5.6% at the University of Kansas, 2.8% at Kansas State University, 0.9% at Wichita State University, 0.7% at Pittsburg State University and 0.3% at Fort Hays State University. Washburn posted a 6.5% increase.
“For the second consecutive year, all sectors of the Kansas higher education system are experiencing growth,” said Kansas Board of Regents chairman Carl Ice. “These increases are an indicator that our system is improving affordability and access for Kansas families.”
ESU continues to be an outlier.
The university, with Board of Regents approval, fired 30 tenured and tenure-track professors in September 2022 under the pretense of a financial emergency. The university eliminated programs and added new ones but never provided an explanation for how the moves aligned with what students want or businesses need. An American Association of University Professors investigation described ESU’s motives as “shifting and incoherent,” but the Legislature rewarded the “ESU model” with $9 million bailouts in 2023 and 2024.
ESU president Ken Hush, in emails to students and staff last month, touted the university’s efforts to recruit new students and add scholarships. He said the university’s enrollment decline would be smaller than anticipated a year ago, when the number of students dropped by 12.5%.
“As a result of lower birth rates, fewer students pursuing higher education, migration to online education and short workforce, competition for new students is at an all-time high,” Hush said.
The university awarded 2,936 scholarships for the fall semester, up from 1,216 a year ago, and extended efforts to get high schoolers enrolled in classes. ESU, the smallest state university, now has 3,325 full-time students and 4,557 total students.
KU, the largest state university, now has 23,465 full-time students and 26,887 total students, having added about 3,000 in two years.
Wichita State University reported record enrollment figures for the second year in a row. WSU now has 11,530 full-time students and a total headcount of 17,700.
“This record-breaking enrollment is a testament to our steadfast dedication to student success and achievement,” said Wichita State president Rick Muma. “It is a direct result of our relentless focus on access and affordability and our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation. By aligning our resources and efforts, we are equipping students with the skills and opportunities they need to lead in their careers and drive progress across Kansas and on the global stage.”
Community colleges reported a 5.9% increase in fall enrollment figures, while technical colleges reported a 5.3% increase.
