Western Pa. colleges, universities struggling amid decline in enrollment numbers

GREENSBURG, Pa. — It’s being called a critical moment for higher education.

“My head went to wow!,” said Dr. Sydney Beeler, vice president of enrollment management at Westmoreland County Community College.

New data shows less and less students are enrolling in college. It’s a trend educators are working to turn around immediately. The COVID-19 pandemic and general uncertainty are believed to be playing a major role.

“We thought this fall students are gonna return to the classroom in mass and they have not,” Beeler said.

According to a preliminary study from the National Student Clearinghouse, there has been a 3.3% decline in national undergraduate enrollment in the past year. The nonprofit reports there is no sign of recovery showing a total 6.5% drop over the last two years.

Beeler has seen it first hand with a shift in the economy and several job openings.

“It makes us as educators have to think differently about how we are going to change our services to meet our students,” she said.

The study says enrollment is down in both 2 year and 4 year colleges.

With a lack of desire to pay tuition and wait to enter the workforce—many are turning to trades—which Dr. Beeler says community colleges offer the necessary training for.

“We need to meet our students where they are. What are they feeling? What are they experiencing? What do they need?,” Beeler said.

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