KU sets all-time marks for freshman class size, overall enrollment

Colleagues,

I am writing to share outstanding news about enrollment at the University of Kansas.

Earlier today, the Kansas Board of Regents released annual data confirming that KU has both its largest freshman class and its highest overall enrollment in history.

The record-setting freshman class includes 5,323 new Jayhawks – an increase of 1.2% from last year’s class, which at the time was the largest in KU history. Beyond the freshman class, KU’s overall enrollment has grown 4.8% to 30,770, eclipsing the previous all-time mark of 30,102 set in 2008. This increase includes a 5.6% jump at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses and steady enrollment at our KU Medical Center campuses.

In addition, this year we achieved record-high retention and graduation rates for returning Jayhawks, as well as all-time-high enrollment for minority, military-affiliated and out-of-state students.

I encourage you to read our full announcement to learn more.

What it all means

Obviously, this is a historic year for the University of Kansas. We are pleased to welcome this record-setting freshman class and to have increased overall enrollment to the highest level in the 159-year history of the institution. These numbers confirm that talented students from across Kansas and the world see the value of attending a leading research institution like KU.

Additionally, these numbers are the result of the work you do to recruit students and support them as they earn their degrees. Whether you are in teaching, advising, research, donor relations, campus maintenance, marketing or athletics, your efforts directly benefit our ability to recruit and retain students. That’s why each of you gets to share the credit for today’s news. Along the same lines, I hope you’ll join me in recognizing the alumni, philanthropic leaders, Kansas businesses and elected officials whose support has also contributed to our enrollment successes.

Today is a day for celebration and reflection about the good work that has led to this moment. That said, we must maintain our focus on the work ahead. Higher education continues to face challenges, and enrollments nationally are projected to continue dropping. That’s why we must continue to improve KU through our strategic priorities in alignment with the Kansas Board of Regents’ strategic plan, the needs of Kansas businesses and communities, and our aspirations as a member of the Association of American Universities. If we maintain this focus, I am confident KU will continue to thrive.

We already are working to recruit next year’s freshman class, and we encourage prospective students to apply by the Dec. 1 scholarship deadline. Additionally, prospective students are invited to our annual Crimson & Blue Day on Oct. 18. If you know any prospective students who are interested in becoming a Jayhawk, encourage them to mark this date on their calendars.

Again, thank you for your work to recruit students and help them succeed at KU.

Respectfully,

Doug

Douglas A. Girod