LEWISTON, Idaho – The total number of students attending Lewis-Clark State College for the first time – whether on campus, online or through dual credit – increased by just over 1 percent compared to this time last year, according to census day totals released by the college on Tuesday.
With the addition of 1,324 new faces, LC State’s overall headcount is 3,710, a dip of 3.8 percent compared to last fall, and is on par with the pre-pandemic total of 3,684 in fall 2018.
“Despite the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic, LC State students are enthusiastic, our employees are committed, and our school continues to be well positioned to weather this storm and move into the future, leveraging innovation and technology to support education access, outcomes and student success,” LC State President Cynthia Pemberton said.
The bulk of LC State’s enrollment continues to come from Idaho, with students arriving from 43 of Idaho’s 44 counties. However, the school also saw a 53 percent increase in international enrollment with students from 32 different countries, a 3 percent increase in non-residents, and a 48 percent increase in students from Asotin County. Hispanic enrollment increased by 7.1 percent.
“The increase in international enrollment is very encouraging as it may mark a return to more normal international enrollment patterns,” Pemberton said. “The non-resident increase is also encouraging as it means word about LC State’s accessibility, affordability, and quality is spreading beyond Idaho’s border.”
LC State’s full-time equivalent enrollment is 2,607, down 2.8 percent from the prior year.