CASPER (WNE) — The University of Wyoming has seen a decrease in online student enrollment for the first time in five years.

The spring overall enrollment census is down 1.3% from last spring, said Vice Provost Shelley Dodd, and many of those are from the online school.

Dodd presented the census numbers to the university’s Board of Trustees on Thursday.

The change in enrollment represents 138 fewer students. Dodd said the online program lost 100 students since last year.

“The other thing we are looking for is is this a blip or is this a trend,” Matt Griswold, vice provost of online and continuing education, said. “So this is our first semester of being down after about five years of growth.”

Griswold said he does not think cost is a factor in the change. He did say the distance learning program may need to expand its offerings.

Exactly what they need to change remains unclear, Griswold said, adding the trustees will have a better understanding of where to place their efforts once enrollment data for Fall 2026 comes in.