Virginia: Enrollment declines put Radford, Mary Washington at ‘some risk’

Declining enrollment at Virginia colleges has put several universities at “some risk” of being not financially viable in the future.

According to a report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, Radford University‘s enrollment is down 29 percent in the last decade. University of Mary Washington has seen a 20 percent decline and Longwood University has experienced a 17 percent decline in enrollment in 10 years.

VMI’s and ODU’s enrollment is down 9 percent, while UVA at Wise‘s is down 8 percent. VCU’s has declined 7 percent and Virginia State University‘s enrollment declined 5 percent.

Enrollment is important for a school’s revenue, however, none of the institutions are in danger of closing any time soon.

“The Presidents of these institutions know this, they didn’t need all this, we needed it and they have taken steps to try and address the weaknesses so all of us are interested in their success,” Del. Mark Sickles of Fairfax said at an October 8 JLARC meeting.

UVA in Charlottesville has experienced a 15 percent increase in enrollment compared to 20 percent at JMU, 21 percent at George Mason University and 22 percent at Virginia Tech.

According to researchers, Virginia State University‘s revenue has been on the decline in recent years in order to keep tuition affordable and to serve underserved communities.

Significant enrollment decline are to blame at Radford and UMW, according to the JLARC report, which added that enrollment at both universities is stable.

JLARC said Radford will focus on in-state enrollment to ensure revenue and UMW will reduce institutional spending on certain financial aid programs. VSU will secure state and federal funding to remain accessible.

The JLARC report also said that demographic shifts in the United States will put further financial strife on universities with a reduction in the college-age population.