PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University saw a 1.1% increase in retention of undergraduate students this fall, while several WSU Health Sciences programs also posted enrollment gains.

The gains come as WSU puts greater emphasis on retaining current students, bringing back those who left before earning a degree, and preparing graduates for critical workforce needs across Washington.

Retention of undergraduate students increased by 1.1% to 14,656, compared with 14,493 last fall. WSU also re-enrolled several hundred students who had previously stopped attending.

"Our focus is on helping students succeed once they get here, creating a path back for those whose education was interrupted, and building programs that meet the needs of Washington and the people who live here," said WSU Executive Vice President and Provost Chris Riley-Tillman.

That work is beginning to show results. Since fall of 2025, WSU has prioritized retention, re-engagement of former students, and re-enrollment of students who had stopped out.

Helping more students stay and succeed

WSU has made retention a priority and is working with the National Institute for Student Success to examine how the university recruits, supports and retains students. The work is focused on identifying barriers to graduation and strengthening advising, student support and early intervention.

WSU is also using artificial intelligence and other technology to improve recruitment and identify students who may need help earlier.

Serving Washington

Washington residents make up 86.2% of WSU undergraduates, up from 85.8% last fall. Across the entire university, 81.6% of students are Washington residents.

More than 35% of WSU undergraduates are the first in their families to attend college, and 38.8% are eligible for federal Pell Grants or Washington College Grant, up from 38.2% last year.

As of fiscal year 2025, more than half (57%) of Washington resident students who enter WSU as full-time first-year students graduate with no student debt.

"We continue to make a college degree possible for students who may not think they can afford one," said WSU President Betsy Cantwell. "That is central to our land-grant mission and our responsibility to the people of Washington."

There is a significant opportunity to reach more students. Only about one-third of Washington high school graduates go directly to four-year colleges or universities, according to the state's Education Research and Data Center.

Growing Washington's health care workforce

WSU also saw growth this fall in several professional programs that prepare graduates for health care careers across Washington.

Enrollment in the Doctor of Pharmacy program increased 15.4%, from 266 to 307 students. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine enrollment increased 5.9%, from 527 to 558 students, and medical student enrollment increased 5%, from 318 to 334. Doctor of Nursing Practice enrollment declined slightly, from 169 to 163 students.

The growth is particularly important for WSU because preparing health care professionals to serve communities across Washington is a key part of the university's statewide mission.

Fall 2026 enrollment

Overall, 24,749 students are enrolled across the WSU system this fall, compared with 25,477 in fall 2025, a decline of 2.9%.

Enrollment across WSU Campuses:

• Pullman: 15,641, down 3.7%

• Spokane: 1,197, down 1.7%

• Tri-Cities: 1,690, up 5%

• Vancouver: 2,689, essentially flat

• Everett: 256, up 1.2%

• Global Campus: 3,276, down 5.2%

Master's and research doctorate enrollment declined from 2,223 students in fall 2025 to 2,088 this fall, amid national pressures on graduate education, including changes in research funding, federal student loan limits and visa challenges for international students.

"We are focused on where Washington needs the university most: preparing graduates for critical careers and lifelong learning, helping more students earn the degrees they started, and opening new paths into higher education for people at different stages of their lives," said Cantwell.

"Students are changing and WSU is changing with them."

Media Contacts

• Pam Scott, System Communications and Strategy, 509-570-4610, [email protected]