Weber State sees positive trends in enrollment, retention

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University saw increased enrollment this year, on trend with most of Utah’s other degree-granting public colleges and universities. 

The numbers were released today in an annual report from the Utah System of Higher Education, which tracks student headcounts during the third week of fall semester. 

Following Weber State’s all-time record for degrees awarded in academic year 2021–22, the fall semester brings another record: the WSU student body is at its largest ever at 29,914.

Contributing to that number is a 1.3% growth of first-time student enrollment and a steady increase of concurrent enrollment and early college students. 

“It’s exciting to see the number of students being served by Weber State continuing to grow,” said WSU president Brad Mortensen. “It’s a great opportunity for us to meet these students where they are and help guide them to find their passion and complete a meaningful degree at Weber State.”

Weber State is one of a growing number of institutions throughout the country known as dual-mission universities that offer certificates, two-year and four-year degrees. WSU also offers a growing number of graduate degrees.

“The dual mission is a student-centered model that makes for an easier transition for those who want to work toward a bachelor’s degree and beyond,” Mortensen said. “It’s a unique model that we hope will keep students here for the duration of their education because we’re offering everything under one roof and meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population, particularly those of underrepresented students.”

Mortensen said this model has the potential to strengthen retention at WSU, as the number of students who finish their associate degree and continue to their bachelor’s degree is much higher at dual-mission institutions.

“The university is also well positioned to meet the needs of adult learners through academic offerings that can be bundled and aligned with long-term educational goals,” said WSU provost Ravi Krovi.  

Weber State has already seen a three-point boost in retention this fall, putting it three years ahead of its goal to reach a 60% first-year retention rate by academic year 2025­­­­­­–26, a goal outlined in the university’s five-year strategic plan.  

“Retention is always on our radar,” Krovi said, attributing the increase to a university-wide effort that includes expanded advising outreach, faculty teaching strategies that address students of varying academic levels, prioritized financial aid and scholarships, an increase in academic support and high impact educational experiences, and a targeted retention communication campaign.

 Krovi said the opportunities to learn at Weber State are growing all the time, as the university now offers 19 graduate degrees, with a 20th on the way. The Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions plans to launch their physician assistant program next year, pending accreditation. 

This year’s enrollment numbers show the Dumke College of Health Professions continues to produce more graduates than any other college at WSU, helping make Weber State Utah’s foremost provider of health professionals, including nurses, dental hygienists, radiologic technologists, medical laboratory scientists and more.

A close second in terms of degrees awarded, the College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology is one of Weber State’s fastest-growing colleges, averaging 7.5% growth over the past five years.

EAST recently cut the ribbon on a new state-of-the-art facility that boasts more than 130,000 square feet, 15 engineering labs, 14 classrooms and nine computer labs.

That ribbon-cutting follows closely after the opening of the Miller Advanced Research and Solutions Center, where Weber State poised itself to be a premier academic partner for Utah’s aerospace and defense industries, including nearby Hill Air Force Base. 

One goal of the MARS Center includes getting WSU faculty and students involved in developing innovative solutions to real-world problems in national defense and other fields that depend on engineering and computer science expertise.

“We always want to emphasize that community aspect,” Mortensen said. “No matter what our students are studying, we’re helping prepare them to be exceptional citizens and to better serve their communities.”

Mortensen said the university itself wants to serve its community, too, including the growing number of Hispanic and Latino families in the area.

After an increase of 2.5% over last year’s enrollment, WSU students who identify as Hispanic or Latino now make up 12.5% of the full-time equivalent undergraduate student body. That inches the university closer to its goal of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Author:

Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu

Contact:

Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu