Towson University’s Women and Gender Studies program has experienced a notable decline in enrollment while its operating budget has increased over the past several years.
Enrollment figures show 27 students were registered on November 1, 2021, decreasing to 14 on the same date in 2025—a drop of roughly 48 percent. In the most recent academic year, only 11 undergraduate students were enrolled in the program.
The department also offers a master’s degree, which awarded two degrees during the 2024‑2025 academic year, and a certificate program that recorded no graduates in that period.
Financial records indicate the program’s budget rose from $725,084 in the 2020‑2021 fiscal year to $870,220 for 2024‑2025, an increase of approximately $145,000.
Despite the shrinking student body, the university continues to allocate substantial funds to the program, raising questions about the alignment of resources with student demand.
Faculty numbers in the department have also declined, reflecting the reduced enrollment levels.
The university historically highlighted the program as one of the nation’s early offerings in women and gender studies, emphasizing its role in advancing scholarship in the field.
Current enrollment trends suggest a gap between the program’s historic positioning and present-day student interest, prompting discussion about future funding and curriculum decisions.
