Lower costs, safer campuses, and close to home convenience have been factors in enrollment increases in local colleges. But not all of those who officially enrolled are walking the halls. They're going on their computers.

"So many of our students have jobs now, that taking an on-line class frees them up to take a class when they want to, whre they want to, whether they're taking it at home or at a library," says WVU-Parkersburg Spokeswoman Connie Dziagwa. "So the addition of on-line classes has really had an effect."

As if an expansion project doesn't serve to underscore this, people are surprised to hear that WVU-Parkersburg is now the sixth largest college in the state.

Its full-time enrollment this year, in fact, broke a three-decade old record. There have been similar increases at Washington State Community College. One reason, says President Charlotte Hatfield, is that students can come out with good-paying jobs.

"The average salaries for a two-year degree starting level are coming very close to the average starting salaries for a four-year degree," Dr. Hatfield says. "So the difference between those two, which many years ago was much larger, is shrinking."

"When a student can come here for a year or two and then transfer to another college, that makes a difference as far as affordability is concerned," Dziagwa says. "Now that we have more baccalaureate programs, they can stay here for five years and get their college degree."

Dr.Hatfield says one program that's showing more enrollment, particularly among males, is the nursing program.

And the increases are expected to continue. By next year, WVU-Parkersburg is projecting to reach a 4500-student enrollment.