LEWISTON, Idaho – A total of 3,908 students are attending Lewis-Clark State College this fall, the fourth-highest enrollment in school history, according to official census day numbers.
LC State saw a record 4,046 students last fall, eclipsing 4,000 for the first time. This fall, enrollment is down 3.4%, but up 6.1% since 2018. Administrators say despite challenging demographic trends, enrollment continues to be healthy and stable – especially in key areas such as healthcare and teacher education.
“LC State continues to attract incredible students who want a small school, an affordable price, and exceptional programs,” said LC State President Cynthia Pemberton. “While there is always work to do, our enrollment is healthy, our programs are strong, and our workforce impact is as profound and vital as ever, especially in north Idaho.”
Healthcare education areas with modest growth include health studies with 393 students (up 2%); radiographic science, which grew from 44 to 50 students (14%); and nursing management and leadership, which went from 21 to 27 (29%). Nursing continues to be one of the school’s largest programs with 259 undergraduate and nine graduate students overall.
LC State now has 22 graduate students in its niche and newly developed graduate programs, including three in its new direct-entry master of science in nursing (MSN) program, which allows students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to pursue an MSN.
Other specific and significant program increases include biology (up 24%); heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology (21%); and exercise science (15%).
Dual credit enrollment was down 29 students (2%). Career and technical education, overall, was also down 46 students (14%), though administrators say a contributing factor to this was the relocation of a program to Workforce Training to better serve industry needs. The enrollment of Workforce Training at LC State, which serves an average of 1,700 students annually, is not reflected in for-credit census day totals.
While in-state enrollment is down 6%, out-of-state enrollment is up 5% and Asotin County is up 15%. The number of transfers to LC State from other institutions is up 8%, including 51 students from North Idaho College (up 13%), and 21 from Walla Walla Community College (75%).