John Knapp, President | Washington & Jefferson College
John Knapp, President | Washington & Jefferson College
Of the four institutions in the county, two provided detailed enrollment data at the time, including Washington & Jefferson College and Penn Commercial Business/Technical School.
At least 3,510 people applied to Washington County colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 1,459 students enrolled in the universities, including 1,457 in undergraduate and two in graduate programs. Only 4% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (76.7%) and Black or African American (7.1%) students.
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, Washington & Jefferson College stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 1,151 students.
U.S. college enrollment has been in a downward trend since peaking at around 18.1 million students in 2010. Recent increases offered some relief, but experts project a steeper decline in 2025.
This decline is likely due to two main factors. First, the pool of young adults is shrinking as birth rates have fallen nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. Second, the rising cost of higher education, including skyrocketing student loan debt. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report shows that more than half of Americans think a four-year degree is not worth the cost.
Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals which do not equal 100%.
| Institution | # of Applicants | # of Admitted Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Health System School of Nursing | -- | -- | 33 |
| Penn Commercial Business/Technical School | 96 | 62 | 243 |
| Washington & Jefferson College | 3,414 | 3,004 | 1,151 |
| Western Area Career & Technology Center | -- | -- | 32 |
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