Humboldt State gets an increase in grad students during the pandemic

ARCATA, Calif. (KIEM)- Despite the uncertainty of higher education during the pandemic, Humboldt State University had an increase in new graduate students this year.

According to the university, the number of graduate students enrolled has gone up 8% from last year and is the highest number since 2017.

The university knows that classes are a little different this year, but the school is making its program pay off in the long run. 

“I think students are not really concerned about having virtual classes,” said Dr. Mary Oling-Sisay, Vice Provost of Graduate Studies at Humboldt State University. “The reason they choose to come is, again, the reputation and the trust that they will be joining really quality programs and that the pay off at the end will be worth the experience of going to graduate school.”

Dr. Oling-Sisay says that students often go to graduate school during tough economic times hoping to gain more skills when they join the workforce.