Contact: Laura Osberger
lauraosberger@schev.edu
(804) 387-5191

October 7, 2022

RICHMOND, VA - Fall enrollments at Virginia's colleges held relatively steady in 2022 compared to last year. That is according to early enrollment estimates released by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) today. The analysis [LINK] shows institution and sector enrollment levels, annual and pre-pandemic changes, and students attending college for the first time, a useful projection of future enrollment levels. Students enrolled in Virginia’s four-year public institutions declined 0.7%. The two-year public institutions were basically flat, and the private non-profits increased by 2.1%.

These estimates are still preliminary and will change before final reports arrive later in the year, but at this time represent the most comprehensive look at college enrollments for fall 2022.

Enrollment levels have varied by institution. Six institutions increased their enrollment compared to 2021, including Historically Black College and Universities Norfolk State University and Virginia State University, as well as Virginia’s community colleges. Eleven institutions reduced their fall enrollment.

“While these early estimates are still preliminary, today’s report demonstrates that students continue to find value in pursuing postsecondary education at Virginia’s colleges and universities,” said Peter Blake, Director of SCHEV.

Virginia has avoided the steeper enrollment declines seen at the national level. While national estimates are not available for fall 2022, national enrollments declined 3% at public four-years, 2% at private for-profits, and 13% at public two-year institutions between 2019 and 2021.

SCHEV invites readers to make their own tables at SCHEV’s research website.

Media resources including news advisories, logos and releases are available at www.schev.edu/media.

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The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia is the state’s coordinating agency for higher education. With Pathways to Opportunity: The Virginia Plan for Higher Education, SCHEV is dedicated to making Virginia the best state for education by 2030. For more on this statewide strategic plan, visit schev.edu/TheVirginiaPlan.