CSCU Fall 2024 Preliminary Census Report Shows 4.2% Growth in Total Student Enrollment

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system announced today that the Fall 2024 Preliminary Census Report shows that CT State Community College (CT State) and the four Connecticut State Universities saw an uptick of 4.2% in student enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year.  

Nationally, total student enrollment has declined in past years due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, CSCU enrollment numbers have begun to see an improvement. This improvement is due in part to targeted recruitment efforts as well increasingly meeting the demands of the diverse demographics the system serves. The CSCU system has adapted to the new realities that students face, offering flexible learning options such as hybrid and online courses.  

As a whole, the four Connecticut State Universities (CSUs) have seen an increase of 4.7% in total student enrollment. Individual student enrollment increases at CSU institutions and CT State are as follows:

• Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) at 2.9%
• Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) at 9.5%
• Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) at 6.3%
• Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) at 0.8%
• CT State Community College (12 campuses) at 3.8% 

“This growth reflects the CSCU system's ongoing efforts to adapt to the changing educational landscape and meet the needs of both our students and our state’s workforce, while fostering a more inclusive and diverse learning environment,” said CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng. “We are committed to providing our students with access to a high-quality education and ensuring that they can pursue their educational and career goals in order to live and work right here in the state of Connecticut.” 
 
Programs such as the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT), which offers free community college tuition for eligible students, have contributed to the growth in student enrollment by making higher education more accessible to those who would be otherwise not be able to afford an education. The Connecticut Automatic Admission Program automatically admits eligible graduating Connecticut high school seniors to participating colleges and universities, simplifying the admissions process, removing the barriers to higher education, and increasing educational access and equity.  

This rise in enrollment not only strengthens the CSCU system’s role as a vital resource for the state by providing affordable, innovative, and rigorous academic programs for students to achieve their personal and career goals, but also supports Connecticut's economic future by preparing a larger, more skilled workforce. 

Recently, CSCU’s workforce development efforts have built bridges between education and business in the high demand fields of healthcare, education, manufacturing, and IT. These partnerships put students on the path to well-paying jobs and long-lasting careers after graduation, as 93 percent of CSCU graduates stay to live and work in Connecticut. CSCU’s recent collaboration with The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) Education team will inspire the next generation of talented bioscience workers in Connecticut, strengthening the state’s workforce.

“Our system’s dedication to serving our students reflects its role as an essential resource for our state, fostering both professional and personal development among its student body,” said Marty Guay, chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. “As more of our students continue to gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market, our state will benefit from a more educated and specialized workforce, driving innovation and economic growth, with our CSCU institutions playing a key role in that expansion.” 

Charter Oak State College, an online college within the CSCU system, will conduct its census on October 31, 2024, with the final census report released to include COSC census data soon after.