With enrollment down and financial pressure rising, WSU looks for a turnaround

Washington State University (WSU) is grappling with a nearly 20% drop in enrollment over the past six years, as total student numbers fell from 31,607 in fall 2019 to 25,477 this year. The WSU Board of Regents met in September to address these concerning trends and discuss the possibility of a tuition increase. President Elizabeth Cantwell, who took office in February, outlined her vision to modernize WSU's identity and bolster student retention, as around 20% of students leave before their second year. WSU faces financial pressures, including a 1. 5% cut in state funding and the highest mandatory fees among Washington's public institutions.

Resident undergraduates may see tuition rise beyond $12,060 for the 2026-27 academic year. The proposed tuition hike follows a decade of increases since state funding reductions began in 2015. Comparatively, the University of Washington has experienced modest enrollment growth, highlighting WSU's unique challenges. The university's leadership is committed to reversing these trends and enhancing the overall student experience.