BELLINGHAM, WA. – Western Washington University saw its second largest ever class of freshmen this fall.

The near-record-breaking enrollment of over 3,000 students was only surpassed by last year’s incoming class.

In a time when public education enrollment in Washington has been down due to a variety of factors, the upswing indicates a recovery for the university according to a WWU press release.

The number of total students is still down from pre-pandemic levels but the small pandemic-era cohort is reaching their fourth year of study this fall.

WWU President Sabah Randhawa says the higher enrollment shows a strong and sustained interest in Western.

In a press release, Randhawa also says that the university will continue to focus on recruiting students under-represented in higher education.

Efforts to increase retention rates like mandatory advising for first-years has paid off with an uptick in rates this year as well.