News Summary
Northeast Ohio colleges are experiencing varied enrollment trends, with Kent State University reporting a decline despite a large freshman class. The University of Akron and Youngstown State University saw increases, while Cleveland State University fell short of targets. Other institutions like Baldwin Wallace faced challenges with smaller classes, while Ursuline College celebrated record freshman numbers. Overall, mixed outcomes indicate the need for adaptation among colleges in the region.
Cleveland, Ohio – Enrollment trends at Northeast Ohio colleges reveal a mixed outlook for higher education institutions in the region, with some schools reporting growth while others face declines. Kent State University welcomed a first-year class of 4,023 students, sustaining its streak of over 4,000 incoming freshmen for the fourth consecutive year; however, the university’s overall systemwide enrollment decreased to 33,319 students from 34,012 the previous fall.
In contrast, the University of Akron made notable gains, achieving its largest total enrollment since 2021, characterized by a 3.4% increase in overall headcount and nearly a 10% rise in first-time freshmen. This shift marks a potential turning point for the university after years of falling enrollment numbers.
Youngstown State University is also experiencing positive momentum, having reported a 2.1% increase in overall headcount and a 2.5% rise in first-time undergraduates for the second consecutive year. These figures indicate a potential end to a decade-long trend of declining enrollment.
Meanwhile, Cleveland State University fell short of its fall enrollment target, with a total of 13,107 students, reaching only about 95% of the budgeted goal. The primary contributors to this shortfall included a decrease in international student enrollment and a smaller-than-expected freshman class. Despite this, the university saw online enrollment surge, with the number of undergraduate online students more than tripling and graduate online enrollment increasing by two-thirds.
John Carroll University had a promising year, welcoming its largest freshman class in five years, comprising 678 new students, in addition to 87 transfer students and 139 new graduate students. Case Western Reserve University experienced a slight increase in first-year enrollment, reaching 1,663 freshmen compared to 1,619 the previous year. However, the institution’s overall enrollment dropped to 12,398 students, largely due to a 1.4% decline in graduate and professional students.
Baldwin Wallace University, on the other hand, faced challenges this year with one of its smallest first-year classes, leading to a total enrollment decrease from 3,113 to 2,737. Conversely, Ursuline College achieved its highest incoming freshman figure since 2006, welcoming 124 new students as part of its ongoing efforts to merge with Gannon University.
Lake Erie College displayed a 15% increase in total undergraduate headcount, despite a slight decline in new freshmen. Hiram College also reported its largest incoming class in over a decade, enrolling 296 students, including 249 first-time full-time freshmen.
Some institutions, particularly smaller private colleges like Notre Dame College, continue to face significant challenges that have led to closures. This trend underscores the pressing need for adaptation among these institutions. Nonetheless, rising retention rates and stable spring semester enrollment figures represent a more optimistic outlook for many campuses in the region.
Notably, nearly one-third of first-year students at Baldwin Wallace hail from outside Ohio, with increases in first-generation students, Pell-eligible students, and students of color. Colleges and universities are recognizing the necessity of enhancing student experience and engagement improve enrollment and retention rates moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- Crain’s Cleveland: Akron, John Carroll Gain, BW, CSU See Enrollment Drops
- Wikipedia
- News 5 Cleveland: Ursuline President Says More Colleges Could Close or Merge
- Google Search: College Mergers
- Crain’s Cleveland: Cleveland Area Colleges Report Steady Spring Enrollment
- Google Scholar: College Enrollment
- Cleveland.com: Cleveland High School Seniors Receive Automatic Tri-C Admission Offers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher Education Enrollment
- Cleveland.com: Ohio Dual Enrollment Program Costs: Who Should Pay for Textbooks?
- Google News: Ohio College Challenges
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