Washburn celebrates record freshman class enrollment numbers in 2024

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Washburn University is celebrating a new milestone Wednesday as it hits a new all-time high in freshman enrollment numbers.

Lori Hutchinson with WU said in a press release the largest freshman class in the university's 159-year history has been recorded in the fall 2024 semester. Current enrollment figures shows the number of high school graduates and first-time college attendees grew by 27% to 1,196 students.

Washburn's full-time equivalency climbed by nearly 9% with the university seeing a more than 8% increase while the Washburn Institute of Technology recorded an increase of 11.4%. Enrollment at the Washburn School of Law also rose 7.3% with an incoming class of 102 students, the largest since 2013.

“As we mark a second record-setting year in a row, we believe our message is reaching more prospective students and families who are looking for a smaller university with big opportunities,” said JuliAnn Mazachek, president of Washburn University. “Proud to call the Capital City home, Washburn offers a personalized college experience in the middle of a thriving business and governmental community. We are dedicated to providing academic excellence while meeting the workforce needs of our area and forging economic growth regionally and throughout the state." 

Mazachek said new and enhanced scholarship opportunities established over the last 18 months have contributed to the spike in enrollment numbers. Scholarship programs like Together We Thrive, the Shawnee County Promise and Northeast Kansas Advantage have helped give students access to the necessary cash required to attend college.

“This fall, the number of Shawnee County students in our incoming freshman class grew by 27%, a testament that we are succeeding in keeping more of our hometown talent at home,” Mazachek said. “We also saw an increase in students from across the state. We believe our efforts to ensure all Kansans know about the educational opportunities at Washburn are working.”

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