WSU Enrollment Tops 20,000

Enrollment at Washington State University has exceeded 20,000 students for the first time in the university’s history.

Two reasons for the growth are the university’s branches in Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver, and the statewide distance learning programs through computer and telecommunications links.

Enrollment for the university this fall term is 20,169 compared with 19,598 last year.

WSU at Spokane had a 15 percent enrollment increase this semester.

A total of 407 students are enrolled in classes for the fall term this year compared with 352 a year ago.

Spokane programs in health policy and administration, management in engineering and public school administration are attracting many of the new students, officials said.

The university is also drawing larger numbers of minority students. Just over 12 percent of the student body is from minority groups, compared with 11.5 percent last year.

, DataTimes