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AUSTIN, Texas – Early estimates from across the Texas State University System show a dramatic increase in Summer I session enrollment. Headcount enrollment for the first summer session across the System’s seven member institutions is 33,228—an increase of 18 percent compared to the previous year. These figures are considered pre-preliminary and subject to change before the official summer census later this month. TSUS’s summer enrollment numbers mirror a national trend as college students are taking advantage of more free time and—in some cases—reduced tuition due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Our institutions have worked hard to keep students on track during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall. “I’m pleased that so many students have responded by using this unprecedented time to accelerate progress toward their degrees, and I’m hopeful that this trend will continue as we begin the fall semester.”

The most impressive enrollment increases are occurring at the three Lamar State Colleges—Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Orange, and Lamar State College Port Arthur—which report an average increase of 41 percent in Summer I enrollment compared to 2019. These two-year institutions in Southeast Texas reduced tuition by 25 percent last fall and are using federal CARES Act funding to offer free and reduced-tuition courses this summer and fall.

The Texas State University System’s seven member institutions include Lamar University (Beaumont), Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Conroe, and The Woodlands), Sul Ross State University (Alpine, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Uvalde), Texas State University (San Marcos and Round Rock), Lamar Institute of Technology (Beaumont), Lamar State College Orange, and Lamar State College Port Arthur, serving more than 86,000 students.