EVANSVILLE, IND. (09/22/2023) At a time when universities across the nation are experiencing enrollment declines and students are increasingly questioning the value of a college degree, more students have chosen to place their bet on the value of a University of Evansville degree. Based on fall census data, the University of Evansville has witnessed substantial growth in both undergraduate and graduate enrollment.
The size of the incoming freshman class grew 23 percent year over year and on the heels of 15 percent growth last year, making it the largest freshman class since 2018 and the largest single year of growth in over a decade. Students who have elected to make UE their educational home hail from 28 states, 26 countries, and all continents except for Antarctica.
The incoming freshman class is remarkably diverse based upon a variety of measures. The number of international freshmen is nearly triple that of last year, representing 12 percent of the total freshman class. Students at UE come from all socioeconomic backgrounds, with over 30 percent of the incoming freshmen qualifying for Federal Pell grants. Approximately 1 in 6 students qualified for UE’s Aces Opportunity Grant, allowing them to attend UE without paying any tuition out of pocket. Students from underrepresented populations make up 21 percent of the class.
“We are bucking the national and regional trends in higher education thanks to our significant investments in new facilities and programs,” said UE President Pietruszkiewicz. “Our efforts to address affordability and access through generous scholarships are helping to attract a wide range of talented students.”
The academic caliber of the freshman class is exceptionally strong. One out of every 8 students is a valedictorian, a Lilly Scholar, or a College Board National Recognition Scholar. More than 36 percent have a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher or an ACT score of at least 27.
The number of students transferring to UE is also on the rise, with year over year growth of 21 percent. Transfer students come from 2-year and 4-year institutions from Florida to Oregon in the U.S. and from six countries including Spain, Latvia, Indonesia, China, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With the introduction of new graduate programs such as the Master of Science in Education and the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, UE has experienced 76 percent growth in the number of entering graduate students and 23 percent growth in the total graduate student population.
“We are delighted to see students recognizing that we are a community that deeply cares about them as individuals,” said Dr. Jill Griffin, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. “Every day we pour out our heart and soul to empower them for a successful career and a life of meaning.”
The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university located in the southwestern region of Indiana. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and vibrant campus community of changemakers.
