From the Office of Public Affairs | https://www.news.ku.edu
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Contact: Joe Monaco, Office of Public Affairs, 785-864-7100, [email protected]
KU achieves record-high enrollment for second straight year at LAWRENCE — For the second consecutive year, the University of Kansas has achieved its highest overall enrollment in history, according to annual data released today.
KU’s overall enrollment has grown 1.3% — or 399 students — to 31,169, eclipsing the previous all-time mark of 30,770 set last year. This includes a 1.2% increase at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses (which are counted together) and a 1.9% increase at KU Medical Center.
This year’s record-setting enrollment includes the third-largest freshman class in KU history at 5,040 students, a decrease of 5.3% from last year’s record-high freshman enrollment. Prior to this year, KU had recruited record-high freshman classes each of the previous two years.
“We are pleased to have record-high enrollment for the second straight year and the third-largest freshman class in KU history,” said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “These numbers confirm that talented students see the value of pursuing their education at KU and that, once they arrive here, they receive the support they need to earn their degrees in a timely fashion.”
Freshman class size, talent, background
In addition to comprising the third-largest class in KU history, this year’s freshmen are talented and diverse. The class has a record-high average high school GPA of 3.71, with 68% of the class having arrived in Lawrence with college credit earned in high school. Minority students comprise 29% of the class, while out-of-state students account for 42% of the class.
Moreover, these first-year Jayhawks — like those in the previous two record-setting classes — are pursuing fields that benefit the Kansas economy. KU currently has all-time-high undergraduate enrollment in the School of Architecture & Design, School of Business, School of Education & Human Sciences, School of Engineering, William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and School of Professional Studies.
“Beyond recruiting record-setting numbers of first-year Jayhawks during the past three years, we are proud that these students are prepared to address Kansas’ workforce needs in crucial fields,” Girod said. “KU strives to drive economic growth and prosperity for Kansas, and these freshmen enable us to continue fulfilling that role.”
KU leaders attribute this year’s large freshman class to the university’s academic reputation, course offerings, recruitment strategies, nationwide network of donors and alumni, athletics profile, campus life and financial support from Kansas lawmakers.
Retention and graduation rates
Today’s data also include record-setting retention and graduation rates. This year, KU retained a record-high 87.5% of last year’s freshmen while notching record-high four-year and six-year graduation rates at 56.9 % and 70.3%, respectively.
“The number of freshmen is the metric that often receives attention this time of year, but equally important to overall enrollment is ensuring that we retain and support existing students as they progress toward their degrees,” Girod said. “We are proud to have again achieved record-setting retention and graduation rates, which are the direct result of our ongoing commitment to supporting students through teaching, advising and other key areas.”
Additional highlights
Lawrence and Edwards enrollment is an all-time high 27,212, breaking the record set in fall 2008. KU Medical Center enrollment is an all-time high of 3,957, breaking the record set in fall 2023.
KU has 17,791 in-state students (the most of any university in Kansas), as well as 13,378 out-of-state students (the most of any university in Kansas). Surveys show approximately one-third of out-of-state students join the Kansas workforce after graduation, making KU the state’s predominant net importer of talent to address Kansas’ workforce needs.
KU has a record-high 2,350 veterans, active-duty and military-connected (dependent) students. This is an increase of 4.1% from last year.
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KU News Service
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https://www.news.ku.edu
Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, director of news and media relations, [email protected]
Today’s News is a free service from the Office of Public Affairs
