Statistics released from the university indicate that the number of first-time and graduate students attending this year has recovered from before the pandemic.
In 2019, 902 first-time students enrolled at UW according to the university’s census data. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the lowest rate of students in the past three years, with a freshmen class of only 815.
“We’re excited that our class of new freshmen, particularly those from Wyoming, has increased. It’s a sign that we are on our way to recovering from the losses incurred by higher education institutions nationwide,” UW Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, Kyle Moore, said.
The census data for this year is showing 909 first-time students have enrolled at UW. This is indicative that the enrollment rates have increased by 11.5% for the Fall Semester.
“After we enrolled the two largest freshman classes in UW’s history in 2018 and 2019, the financial and other uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have been impactful and significant. We’re working hard to rebound as quickly as possible,” Moore said.
First-time students moved into the dorms this year with a renewed sense of excitement.
“When I first came in, there was excitement but it was clouded with this sense of dread,” Evan Bailey, a sophomore Economics major said. “Like we knew we’d only be there for a little before COVID forced something to happen.”
“I took a gap year because I wanted those dorm experiences and I really didn’t want to do schooling online or from home,” freshman Andrew Erbenganter said. “I was happy with move in and I’ve been happy with this whole experience so far.”
This enrollment class tops the 2019 pre-pandemic rate, bringing UW closer to the pre-pandemic enrollment records.
However, the total student enrollment rate has dropped 3% from last fall.
“Across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many students to stay closer to home to start their college experience. It also has resulted in large decreases in community college enrollments in Wyoming and nationwide, which impacts transfer numbers,” Moore said.
With total enrollment down, but the first-time student enrollment rate up, it is likely to see UW’s student population grow the most at the bottom.
“If I had to venture a guess, it seems like the freshmen rates are going to grow again and the majority of the student population will be in the lower grades,” said Bailey.
“It already is a bit crowded in the freshmen halls and classes,” said Erbenganter. “I’ve heard they want to build more dorms and that seems to be necessary.”
However, the enrollment rates of graduate students at the university has also increased this fall. A 4.9% increase of 123 students in that area from last year.
“I think becoming a graduate student is becoming a more enticing option with the state of the working world right now,” Master of Business Administration student, Harlan Clarke, said. “I’ve always believed there’s benefit to this path, but I think the pandemic made it a little more enticing with how jobs and wages are being handled right now.”
While the university is still not at the enrollment rates it was pre-pandemic, the increases indicate that the university is back on track to reach old enrollment rates within the next semesters.
