By 1812Blockhouse
The Ohio State University has released its Autumn Semester Enrollment Report, revealing a notable increase in new first-year students. The report encompasses data on undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across both the Columbus and regional campuses. While student enrollment remains stable overall, the university has seen a 14.7% increase in the number of new first-year students at its regional campuses, which include Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and ATI in Wooster.
Regional Campuses Defy National Trends
In a year when many universities are grappling with declining enrollment, OSU’s regional campuses are experiencing growth. The campuses in Lima, Newark, Mansfield, Marion, and Ohio State ATI collectively reported a 2% increase in enrollment. This is particularly noteworthy as it goes against the grain of a national trend of decreasing student numbers on regional campuses.
For the OSU Mansfield campus in particular, there was a sizeable increase in new freshmen enrollment. The number of students at OSUM rose 2.5%, but the number of new students rose by an impressive 15.1%, second highest among the university’s regional campuses.
Affordability and Accessibility
James Orr, vice provost for strategic enrollment management at OSU, attributes this growth to the university’s focus on affordability and accessibility. “With a focus on affordability, accessibility, and service to all Ohioans, we have worked with partners across all of our campuses to create opportunities for students to attend Ohio State,” Orr stated. Adjustments to the Buckeye Opportunity Program now allow students on regional campuses to qualify for affordability grants from their first semester.
Diversity Milestones and Academic Excellence
The report also highlighted a record increase in minority student enrollment. The number of new, first-year minority students rose by nearly 11%, contributing to a record-high total minority student enrollment across all campuses. Additionally, the new first-year students on the Columbus campus are academically gifted, with 96% ranking in the top 25% of their high school class and 68% in the top 10%.
Stability in Numbers Amid Pandemic Uncertainty
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, OSU has managed to maintain stable enrollment numbers. The Columbus campus reported an enrollment of 60,046, while the total university enrollment stands at 65,405. Both figures are down by less than 1% from 2022, indicating resilience in the face of ongoing uncertainties.
Source: The Ohio State University
