CHAMBERSBURG – Despite news about enrollment declines across higher education, Wilson College is bucking the trend, having attained its highest total enrollment in the history of the institution. Fall figures show 1,705 enrolled students, a 10 percent increase over last year.
“We are beyond excited that now, more than any time in the college’s 156-year history, more students have the opportunity to benefit from an outstanding Wilson education,” President Wesley R. Fugate said. “Our approach to providing an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences with a strong career focus in a welcoming and supportive learning environment is resonating.”
Fugate noted that during the past decade, the Wilson faculty and staff have worked to provide innovative courses to meet the needs of a diverse student body. “The results show 158 percent growth since the fall of 2013 when enrollment was only 662 students,” Fugate said.
Two key categories of students have contributed to this year’s enrollment growth. Wilson’s teacher certification program continues to expand, now with 391 students, 18 percent more than those enrolled during 2023-2024, college officials said. Wilson proudly certifies a significant number of adults with a bachelor’s degree who seek to make a career change and become teachers in Pennsylvania.
In addition, students continue to embrace the flexibility to earn a Wilson degree fully online. A total of 342 undergraduate and graduate degree seekers enrolled in Wilson College Online for Fall 2024, more than doubling enrollment since Fall 2023. And, college officials added, the online program is only in its second full year of existence.
Wilson’s full-time undergraduate students remained steady with 555 students, compared to 544 in Fall 2023.
