Adam Hutchison, Ph.D.. President | Virginia Highlands Community College
Adam Hutchison, Ph.D.. President | Virginia Highlands Community College
Of the two institutions in the county, Emory & Henry College was the only one that provided detailed enrollment data at the time.
At least 2,288 people applied to Washington County colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 3,426 students enrolled in the universities, including 3,150 in undergraduate and 276 in graduate programs. Only 4.7% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (83.5%) and Black or African American (6.1%) students.
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, Virginia Highlands Community College stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 2,068 students.
U.S. college enrollment has been in a downward trend since peaking at around 18.1 million students in 2010. Recent increases offered some relief, but experts project a steeper decline in 2025.
This decline is likely due to two main factors. First, the pool of young adults is shrinking as birth rates have fallen nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. Second, the rising cost of higher education, including skyrocketing student loan debt. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report shows that more than half of Americans think a four-year degree is not worth the cost.
Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals which do not equal 100%.
| Institution | # of Applicants | # of Admitted Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Highlands Community College | -- | -- | 2,068 |
| Emory & Henry College | 2,288 | 2,219 | 1,358 |
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