Post-COVID, Stark County universities and colleges are stabilizing with enrollment

Stark County universities and colleges are experiencing stable enrollment in a post-pandemic world, officials say.

That fits with reports that undergraduate enrollment is steadying statewide and nationally, with fewer declines. Still those same reports indicated that many universities have not returned to pre-COVID figures.

Local university and college officials said COVID-19 is no longer impacting their enrollment figures and they're seeing growth in certain areas.

For example, Malone University in Canton reported a 6.3% increase in the number of first-year undergraduate students, and a 19% increase in recruitment, for the 2023 fall semester compared to fall 2022. They also have the largest class of graduate students enrolled there since the pandemic.

Malone reported 1,218 students enrolled this fall.

"I am both thrilled and heartened by our enrollment growth for this year's incoming class," Malone President Gregory Miller said in a prepared statement. "The world is in desperate need of the servant leaders that Malone University trains up, and our growth this year makes a statement to Canton, Stark County, the State of Ohio, and beyond that a Christian university education is still desired by — and I'd argue necessary for — our next generation's leaders."

What's enrollment at University of Mount Union and Walsh University?

In Alliance, the University of Mount Union reported 2,049 students enrolled this fall — about 80 fewer than last year.

Caitlin Clark, vice president for enrollment services, said Mount Union has a "healthy enrollment of first-year, transfer, international and graduate students," and credits in-person and virtual recruitment strategies, plus marketing campaigns, for helping to improve enrollment.

"Our lowest enrollment in recent years was in fall 2021, coming out of the pandemic shutdown," Clark said. "Since then, enrollment has recovered and stabilized."

In North Canton, Walsh University reported 2,160 students enrolled there this fall, a decrease of 151 from last year.

The university's vice president for enrollment management, Rebecca Congelio, said enrollment trends at Walsh line up with the national and regional trends.

"Pre-pandemic there was a prediction of an enrollment cliff in 2023, due to a significant decline in the number of college-age students in the United States, with a greater decline in Ohio and the surrounding states in the Midwest," she said in an email.

Congelio said they still anticipate enrollment challenges, but Walsh has been actively trying to slow the decline with various strategies. Those initiatives included new academic and athletic programs, and recruiting military veterans to enroll.

"We are seeing positive results from these efforts," she said.

Kent State University (20,485 students) and the University of Akron (13,633) saw slight increases in enrollment.

Stark State declines, but for a reason

Stark State College in Jackson Township reported 9,653 students enrolled in the community college for the 2023 fall semester — about 400 fewer than last year.

That's almost 1,000 fewer than in 2021.

Robyn Steinmetz, director of marketing for Stark State, said the decline stems from higher employment in the area, where "adult learners" have chosen to work in readily available jobs rather than complete an associate degree, which is standard for community colleges.

The college has experienced growth in its College Credit Plus dual enrollment program — up 0.7% over last fall — where high school students can earn high school and college credit simultaneously. It's free for public school students, with limited cost for private school or homeschooled students.

"Stark State College has the largest CCP enrollment in Northeast Ohio and the third largest in the state among all colleges and universities," Steinmetz said. "We also have seen an 11% increase in the last year in our non-credit or non-degree-seeking offerings. These courses can lead to fast certifications or skills needed on the job and are often paid for by the student’s employer."

The Aultman College of Nursing (242 students) saw an 18.5% increase in new and incoming students this fall.

There are still challenges ahead for universities and colleges

Despite the stability, universities and colleges face challenges in the future with enrollment.

"The challenge higher education is facing varies from demographic decline, college readiness, and affordability," Congelio said.

Local universities are implementing strategies they hope overcome these challenges to prevent a dive in enrollment. Those practices include offering attractive financial packages, $1,000 reductions, new academic and athletic programs, military veteran programs and launching marketing campaigns.

"We continue to think proactively about best recruitment practices to meet the changing needs of our students and how to address the perception of private education value and affordability," Clark said.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Mount Union, Walsh and Malone enjoying a stable enrollment post-COVID