BGSU campuses break enrollment records

HURON TWP. — Bowling Green State University continues to break enrollment records on both of its campuses. BGSU continued its streak this fall semester with a third consecutive year of increasing enrollment while retaining students through graduation. There are now more than 20,000 students at BGSU, according to information provided by the university, which has its main campus in Bowling Green and another campus, BGSU Firelands, located in Huron Township. This is an increase of over 3% compared to last year and is the largest enrollment number in 18 years, the university said. This number is due to the three years of back-to-back freshman classes that continued to raise the bar. This year's freshman class, compared to last fall, had an increase of about 90 students. This was a jump from just above 3,900 students to squeaking past 4,000. The university also continues to have a strong retention of students going into their second year. This underscores Bowling Green's top-ranked experience and opportunities, according to a press release. When students stay at BGSU, the university sees record gains in the number of students graduating on time with less debt. The university has a four-year graduation rate up 4% overall. "This fall's continued overall enrollment growth is an absolute reflection of our commitment to providing an exceptional student experience that empowers learners to embrace all that BGSU has to offer in and out of the classroom," BGSU president Rodney Rogers said. "BGSU is big enough to provide all the opportunities of a large university, but small enough that each student can actually take advantage of them, which is leading to more and more students wanting to join our learning community and mission of being a public university for the public good." Bowling Green's main campus has seen growth in its number of undergraduate students enrolled in the fall. The number of students is up by more than 3% compared to last year. The number of graduate students at the university is also up compared to this time last year. The number of students transferring from other institutions has also increased; specifically, the number of students coming from community colleges in northwest, northeast and central Ohio and southeast Michigan. Many of these institutions offer pathway programs to the university. Standing out above the rest In its commitment to meeting workforce needs, BGSU invests in high-demand degrees that are desired by students and employers. BGSU's Life Design program has contributed to its enrollment growth. This program allows BGSU to stand out by allowing students to shape their college experience and career goals with design thinking principles that promote timely graduation and reduced debt, the release states. The Life Design program recently started a course for students in the university's Deciding Student Program that has helped 91% of students declare a major or narrow down choices after a semester. The Life Design program has supported more than 10,000 students so far, including 75% of first-year students in the Fall 2024 class. Along with unique programs, the university also offers more than 300 student organizations, a vibrant and connected learning community in a safe college town with engagement opportunities in and out of the classroom, including the marching band that is the largest student organization on campus and one of the nation's largest, according to the release. BGSU has also competed in NCAA Division I athletics in the Mid-American Conference. It also offers competitive, non-scholarship athletic club teams that play against other institutions nationwide. "It is gratifying to see more students choosing to pursue and continue their education at BGSU for a third consecutive year," Cecilia Castellano, vice president for enrollment management, said. "More students and their families are seeing the value of a BGSU education, which includes in-demand academic programs, engaging experiences and comprehensive opportunities all in one of the nation's best and safest college towns." The Firelands campus also offers in-demand and STEM-focused programs like business, digital content creation, computer networking and cybersecurity. These programs attract students and meet workforce needs, the release states. BGSU Firelands BGSU Firelands, the university's regional campus in Huron, has also had growth in its enrollment. The Huron campus has set its own record this fall by having its largest gain in students in a decade. This fall was also the seventh consecutive semester of overall enrollment growth on the campus. Its overall headcount is up over 7%. The campus has a total of more than 2,000 students. This is because of the nearly 40% increase in first-year and transfer students over the past three years, according to a release from the university. "Our enrollment growth reflects that students and families clearly see the value of a BGSU Firelands education," BGSU Firelands Dean Allia Carter said. "As the BGSU regional campus, we provide the personal attention of a close-knit college while connecting students to the breadth and opportunities of a major public university," Carter said. "It's a model that works and one that continues to move both our campus and our community forward." First-hand experience Kendall Balde is a first-year business student from Milan. She is continuing her education at BGSU Firelands after studying at EHOVE Career Center as a high school student. Balde was ahead in her program because she was able to take university courses through the state's College Credit Plus program. "My experiences at EHOVE and BGSU while in high school showed me how education can be immediately useful in the real world," Balde said. "I loved how practical and hands-on both experiences were, and that's exactly why I chose to enroll at BGSU Firelands full-time after graduating high school. It feels like the right place to keep growing." Blade is a recipient of the Firelands Grant, which is the campus' commitment to scholarship support offsetting tuition balance after receiving financial aid. "Kendall is a clear example of the value BGSU Firelands provides in delivering affordable, high-quality education that meets the needs of our community," said Rob Drapcho, director of enrollment management at BGSU Firelands. "We are excited to welcome her and so many new students and to support them on their path to success."