Whether you look at total students or full-time equivalent headcount, stats released Wednesday by the Kansas Board of Regents indicate different directions for Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College when it comes to enrollment.
Data released by the Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday showed Emporia State headcount enrollment at 4,658, down almost 700 students or 12.5 percent from the 2022 fall term — easily the most enrollment shrinkage noted at any Regents university. The five-year drop was almost 20 percent, or over 1,100 students. The 10-year drop? Almost 23 percent or nearly 1,400 students.
Before Wednesday’s release, President Ken Hush said enrollment trends are declining nationwide and ESU expects enrollment to decline next year before stabilizing by 2024 as part of an open letter to the campus and Emporia community. Hush also said “the size of an institution is not equal to the health and financial efficiency of the institution” and “enrollment numbers hold little significance unless they are compared to expenses.” Vice President for Marketing and Communication Kelly Heine says Emporia State is financially healthier now than it was a year ago.
Stats for full-time equivalent students weren’t any better for Emporia State. year-to-year numbers dipped by more than 500 and are now at 3,431 — a drop of 13 percent. The five-year decline is almost 24 percent from nearly 4,500 students in 2018 and the 10-year decline is over 25 percent from having nearly 4,600 FTE students in 2013.
Heine says Emporia State is committed to making sure programs meet the needs of students and employers, making changes if needed. ESU will also be “relentless” in letting people know about the university’s curriculum and programs in programs like education, nursing, cybersecurity and other offerings.
The enrollment report follows Emporia State’s request for over $17 million in funding through the Board of Regents as part of the Unified Appropriation Request for fiscal 2025:
*$8.1 million: Student affordability
*$5 million: Phase-out and separation costs
*$4.6 million: Student housing debt avoidance
*Click here to read Hush’s open letter.
Flint Hills Technical College enjoyed a nearly 2-percent enrollment gain or 29 students between fall 2022 and fall 2023, now standing at 1,639. Enrollment is up 15 percent, or almost 270 students the past five years. Enrollment is nearly double the 832 reported in 2013.
President Caron Daugherty says there are some options for bolstering enrollment in certain programs, but those are becoming increasingly limited as the college revs up conversations about facilities as part of an overall master plan discussion.
Full-time equivalent numbers at Flint Hills Technical College are at 674, up slightly from 671 students last year. The five-year trend was actually down slightly from 685 students in 2018, while the 10-year trend is up almost 2 percent from 661 FTE students in 2013.
Daugherty thanked the college’s administration and recruiting staff for their work to boost enrollment numbers.
9:15 am Wednesday: Emporia State headcount enrollment down over 10 percent, Flint Hills Technical College sees nearly 2-percent boost
On Tuesday, Emporia State University President Ken Hush repeated a caution heard earlier this year on KVOE’s airwaves, saying fall enrollment would likely be down from last academic year to this.
He was right.
Data released by the Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday showed Emporia State headcount enrollment at 4,658, down almost 700 students or 12.5 percent from the 2022 fall term — easily the most enrollment shrinkage noted at any Regents university. The five-year drop was almost 20 percent, or over 1,100 students. The 10-year drop? Almost 23 percent or nearly 1,400 students.
Post-release comment is pending. Before Wednesday’s release, Hush said enrollment trends are declining nationwide and ESU expects enrollment to decline next year before stabilizing by 2024. Hush also said “the size of an institution is not equal to the health and financial efficiency of the institution” and “enrollment numbers hold little significance unless they are compared to expenses.”
Flint Hills Technical College enjoyed a nearly 2-percent enrollment gain or 29 students between fall 2022 and fall 2023, now standing at 1,639. Enrollment is up 15 percent, or almost 270 students the past five years. Enrollment is nearly double the 832 reported in 2013.
