Western Washington University sees drop in enrollment

Western Washington University faces a continued decline in first-year enrollment, reporting 2,690 students this fall, down by 300 from last year. This marks the third straight year of falling enrollment following a post-pandemic surge. However, the university has seen a positive trend in first-year student retention, which rose to just over 79%, the best since the 2020 pandemic cohort. Additionally, Western achieved its highest FAFSA completion rate to date. In response, the university aims to increase its first-year class to 3,200 students next fall, potentially the second-largest class in over 20 years.

To facilitate this growth, Western is implementing guaranteed admission for eligible high school graduates and lowering barriers for transfers from community and technical colleges. This strategic plan emphasizes the university's commitment to enhancing enrollment and supporting student success. The initiatives aim to create a more accessible pathway for prospective students.