KU welcomes largest freshman class since 2008

Colleagues,

I am writing to share good news regarding this year’s enrollment at the University of Kansas.

Earlier today, the Kansas Board of Regents released annual enrollment data confirming that KU’s freshman class is the largest in 14 years and the most academically talented and diverse in history.

This year’s freshman class includes 4,457 new students, making it the largest freshman class since 2008 and the second largest class in KU history. The average high school GPA of these freshmen is a record-high 3.66, and minority students account for a record-high 28.5 percent of the class.

Beyond the freshman class, today’s data show the university’s overall enrollment fell slightly by 47 students (0.2 percent) to 27,638.

We are pleased to see this increase in first-time freshmen and to have held steady on overall enrollment. These numbers demonstrate that talented students from across the state and nation see the benefit of attending a leading public research university like KU to prepare for their lives and careers.

Additionally, these enrollment numbers speak volumes of the work you do to help recruit and retain talented students, especially during the uncertainties of the pandemic in recent years. Everything we do at KU – from education to service to research, to engagement with alumni and donors, to competing in athletics – contributes to our ability to recruit students and help them earn their degrees. That’s why each of you deserves thanks and credit for our enrollment success.

While we are pleased with this year’s freshman class and our steady enrollment, we must continue our efforts to recruit and retain top students and create a university they want to attend. The reality is, college enrollment continues to decline across the nation, and we continue to face flat population trends in the Midwest. These challenges aren’t going away, which is why we must remain steadfast in our efforts to improve KU through initiatives such as our strategic planning and Higher Learning Commission accreditation processes.

Of course, we are already looking ahead to next year’s freshman class, and we are accepting applications and scheduling campus visits for prospective students. We encourage prospective students to apply by the December 1 scholarship deadline. Additionally, prospective students and parents are invited to attend our annual Crimson & Blue Day on October 14. I know I can count on you to help roll out the red carpet for our guests that day.

Thank you for all you do to recruit students and help them succeed here as Jayhawks.

Respectfully,

Doug

Douglas A. Girod
Chancellor