New Kensington

Enrollment shows upward trend for bachelor’s degree programs at New Kensington

Penn State New Kensington instructor Ted Lucidi works with students in the new Biomedical Engineering Technology lab, which houses one of only two student Intensive Care Units in the country. Credit: Bill Woodatd. All Rights Reserved.

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Although overall headcounts are down slightly (by 15) at Penn State New Kensington for fall 2014, Chancellor Kevin Snider is encouraged about the campus’ future.

Baccalaureate enrollments are up 5 percent with 551 students seeking four-year degrees, 26 more than last year. New Kensington’s increase in bachelor’s degree-seeking students is in step with Penn State’s overall numbers and is following a trend found throughout the Penn State system.

"The increase in baccalaureate enrollments at Penn State’s 19 undergraduate Commonwealth Campuses has been offset by continuing declines in associate, provisional and nondegree enrollments as students opt to pursue four-year degrees," said Rob Pangborn, vice president and dean for undergraduate education. "While the headcount is down slightly, this trend has led to a net increase in the full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollments at the campuses."

“Although New Kensington has a few less students than a year ago, we have more full-time students in our bachelor’s programs,” said Patty Brady, director of enrollment services at the campus. “Our freshman class has double-digit increase over last year. Our increase is impressive given the declining demographics in our region, and it speaks to the quality of academic programs on our campus.”

The campus' 189 freshmen are an increase of 19 over last year’s class of 170. The 11 percent upward tick is the best the campus has experienced in four years. The bachelor’s degree programs are a major draw for incoming students. Eighty-six percent of the freshmen seek four-year degrees, with engineering being the most popular major. The remaining 14 percent are on track for an associate degree, with radiological sciences the top choice. The 2014 freshman class represents 73 different high schools, and 110 freshmen earned a campus scholarship, receiving $2,000 per award.

The large influx of first-year students bodes well for increasing the number of degrees awarded in 2018, when they are seniors. Last year, the campus awarded 93 four-year degrees, second highest for western campuses. With a retention rate of 70.4 percent, which was third-best in the west for 2013-14, more than 130 degrees are expected to be awarded in four years.

In addition to the large freshman class, other segments of the student population have expanded as well. The number of veteran/adult learners continues to rise as military personnel fulfill their service obligations and return to civilian status. International students from eight countries and out-of-state students from 10 states, including Arizona, North Carolina, Maryland, Nebraska, and Virginia contribute to the cultural diversity of the campus and add to the potential talent available to Western Pennsylvania. Chancellor Kevin Snider noted that international and out-of-state students have the potential to contribute to the region after graduation.

“Given overall demographic trends, our region needs the talent we can produce to meet employer needs,”Snider said. “We’re excited by the prospect of providing even more local Penn State graduates to the area.”The campus’ unique academic programs, such as Biomedical Engineering Technology (BET), are magnets for students living outside Pennsylvania. The Penn State BET program is offered only at the New Kensington campus, and it is one of seven programs in the United States to be accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).

Overall enrollment at Penn State is 95,973. University Park undergraduate enrollment stands at 40,541 and the Commonwealth Campus undergraduate enrollment is 29,973. Graduate, medical and law enrollments, including World Campus, are 13,591. New Kensington experienced a slight dip of 2.2 percent, from 680 students to 665. The decrease was the lowest of all western campuses that had a drop.

A variety of conditions have helped New Kensington keep the declines to a minimal. Besides a large freshman class, Snider noted that the campus had the highest percentage of applicants who marked New Kensington as their first Penn State campus choice, a significant factor for future increases in enrollment. Those applicants rose from 132 to 153, a 16 percent increase, the biggest increase in the Penn State system.

“We have achieved a reputation for excellence that is reflected in students choosing us first,” Snider said. “I think people are realizing the quality Penn State education that we provide to either the student who intends to move to another Penn State campus after two years or the student who graduates from one of our four-year programs.”

The campus also has made significant gains in increasing the quality of incoming classes. The average SAT scores and grade-point averages had risen for four years before leveling off this year.

“We have engaged our communities and region, achieved a reputation for excellence, enhanced learning opportunities, highlighted our great faculty and staff, and developed innovative programs to help students succeed,” Snider said. “This summer we invested heavily in our campus facility to be even more attractive in serving the needs of students. Our goal is to be known for the quality we provide. It is exciting to see we are well on the way. The future is bright.”

For enrollments at all Penn State campuses, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/46047.htm

For a virtual tour of the campus, visit http://www.youvisit.com/colleges.php?college=80469&vhost=1&inst=62745

For more on admissions at Penn State New Kensington, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Admissions/default.htm

Last Updated October 23, 2014

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