John Hauser President | Gaston College
John Hauser President | Gaston College
Of the four institutions in the county, Belmont Abbey College was the only one that provided detailed enrollment data at the time.
At least 2,757 people applied to Gaston County colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 7,331 students enrolled in the universities, including 7,305 in undergraduate and 26 in graduate programs. Only 2% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (46.8%) and students of unknown ethinicity (28.1%).
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, Gaston College stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 5,558 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.
NCES shows that enrollment data was not available for Gaston College in Gaston County.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston College | -- | -- | 5,558 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia | -- | -- | 272 |
| Gaston College | -- | -- | -- |
| Belmont Abbey College | 2,757 | 2,674 | 1,501 |
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