College Enrollment Continues Decline

After reaching peak enrollment during the height of the recession, head counts at West Virginia’s public colleges have been on the decline each of the last five years. Since 2010, enrollment at the state’s four- and two-year colleges has dropped 5 percent and 20 percent. Because West Virginia students come from generally poor families, the rising cost of attending college can dissuade them from going, Holly said. Many colleges are now turning to private donors to help fill funding gaps and establish scholarships for students.