Athens State University is pleased to announce an increase in enrollment numbers for the Fall 2023 semester. With a total of 2,955 students enrolled, the University’s headcount is up 2.1% compared to the Fall 2022 semester. Credit hour production is also up for both undergraduate and graduate courses for an average of 2.2% year-over-year.
With the increase, enrollment numbers have officially returned to and surpassed where they were in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic when 2,945 students were enrolled. Up until the pandemic began in 2020, projections for enrollment were positive, with steady growth expected. The University is now in a position to see additional enrollment growth in the coming years due to an increased focus on targeted marketing efforts, establishing Learning Partnerships within the North Alabama region, and growing the school’s number of degree and certificate programs.
In 2023 alone, Athens State has created Learning Partnerships with dozens of local organizations, bringing the total number of partnerships to over 30. These partnerships have helped drive enrollment by allowing the employees of the affiliated organizations, as well their parents, spouses, and children, access to exclusive benefits including a 10% tuition discount on all classes, waived application fee, and complimentary evaluation of previously earned educational credits and training/professional certifications for consideration of transfer credit. With new partners including the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce, local county commissions, and Amazon, thousands of local residents will have the opportunity to take advantage of these benefits and continue their education at Athens State.
Athens State’s growing number of graduate programs has also contributed to the enrollment increase. The University has increased its number of graduate programs in recent years to 13, including its newest programs, Master of Fine Arts in Integrative Design (MFA) and Master of Education in Training and Development.
“The increase in enrollment at Athens State comes as no surprise because of our unwavering commitment to student success and our dedication to providing accessible, flexible, and affordable higher education,” stated Dr. Catherine Wehlburg, Interim President. “We want to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to achieve the academic and economic goals that a college degree can provide.”
“We are all excited to see these continued positive gains in enrollment and retention of Athens State students,” stated Dr. Lee Vartanian, Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “This is a reflection of the hard work of our committed staff, the quality courses our faculty provide, and the enduring value our degrees confer.”