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Ohio University sees another record-setting freshmen class and higher retention rates

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University announced its incoming freshman class has set another enrollment record and is also the most high-achieving in the school’s history.

A historical marker celebrates the history of Ohio University outside the gate to the college green.
[WOUB File Photo]
The university set back-to-back freshmen enrollment records in 2022 and 2023 followed by a slight dip in 2024. This fall’s rebound set a new high at 4,550 incoming freshmen on the Athens campus.

These freshmen also set another record with an average GPA of 3.67. More than a quarter of the class was among the top 10 percent in their high school graduating class.

A quarter of the freshman class are the first in their family to attend college, and more than 18 percent come from counties in Appalachian Ohio.

Meanwhile, the Athens campus retention rate for students moving from their first to second year climbed again, to 84.7 percent, the highest in more than 20 years.

Colleges within the university are also posting enrollment records. The Russ College of Engineering and Technology and the College of Business both saw record first-year student enrollment this fall.

The College of Health Sciences and Professions also notched a record, driven by nearly 20 percent growth in new student enrollment year over year.

Enrollment at the university’s five regional campuses saw modest growth overall, driven by increased retention. Regional campus enrollment has been on a fairly steady decline and is now about half what it was just over a decade ago.