Thanks in large part to new scholarship and free tuition programs, Warren Wilson college has broken enrollment records with this fall’s incoming freshman class. The college rolled out several new initiatives this past spring, including “NC Free,” a free tuition program for qualifying North Carolina residents. The goal of the free tuition and scholarship programs was to make college accessible for more people, and judging by the increase in applicants to Warren Wilson this fall, the initiatives are definitely having the desired effect.

Not only did the college welcome its largest incoming freshman class in school history (250 students ~ a 71% increase over last year), but also the largest number of new students from North Carolina that the college has seen for at least 20 years. It’s particularly impressive that a small liberal arts college like Warren Wilson is able to achieve these results at a time when enrollment at colleges nationwide is on the decline.

In an article on the school’s website announcing the record-breaking enrollment numbers, Warren Wilson President Lynn Morton is quoted as saying: “Since its founding in 1894, this college has stood for educational access in this region. With NC Free, we are remaining true to our roots. We know that the NC Free Tuition plan has not only enabled more North Carolina students to attend Warren Wilson College, but it will also allow local students to invest the knowledge and skills that they gain here right back into our community and our state.”