Lethbridge’s post-secondary institutions report drop in total enrolment despite increase in domestic students

While overall enrolment is down at Lethbridge’s post-secondary institutions, the number of domestic students is up. Karsen Marczuk reports.

Despite a rise in domestic students on campus, both Lethbridge Polytechnic and the University of Lethbridge are reporting a decline in total enrolment this year.

“Enrolment is a little bit down - about 12 per cent,” said Marko Hilgersom, Lethbridge Polytechnic registrar.

“But that is largely due to the fact of changes with the immigration policies.”

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In early 2024, the federal government put a cap on international students eligible to study in Canada, citing pressure on housing, healthcare and other services.

“If we get some stability over the next couple of years from federal immigration rules, I think we will see a re-emergence of international students, but until that time I think they’re a little bit apprehensive,” explained Hilgersom.

The polytechnic has roughly 4,500 students enroled this semester.

Despite the decrease in total enrolment, Hilgersom says domestic, Indigenous and apprenticeship numbers have risen over last year.

“Our domestic numbers are our primary focus,” he said.

“We have a growing population in Alberta and in southern Alberta, so we’re really focused on that. The number of 17-year-olds continues to grow every year for the next decade so we’re looking at that, looking at high school completion rates and how can we help out that.”

Similar trend

Across the river, the University of Lethbridge is seeing a similar trend.

“Domestic enrolment rose 1.1 per cent compared to fall 2024, highlighted by a 17 per cent increase in new domestic high school students and a 24 per cent increase in new Indigenous high school student enrolment,” said the University of Lethbridge in a statement.

However, the post-secondary says it “has 246 fewer international students on campus, resulting in a 2.1 per cent overall decline in total enrolment despite the domestic growth.”

With a sharper focus on recruiting domestic students to campus, Hilgersom says it is allowing the institution to continue to grow its offerings.

“We do feel that buzz,” Hilgersom said.

“The potential is there so we’re looking a lot at tech programs, programs for apprenticeship, health programs as well coming in, so we see a lot of opportunity.”

New admissions for 2026 began on Oct. 1.