UD EXPECTS TO SET RECORD FOR ENROLLMENT THIS FALL

Total to exceed 11,300 despite fewer freshmen, university reports.

University of Dayton officials credit the growth of academic programs for the record student body they expect this school year.

Despite fewer freshmen heading to UD this year than the last two, the private Catholic campus expects to welcome more than its previous record of 11,300 total students across its undergraduate, graduate, law and doctoral programs when classes start Wednesday.

More than 2,050 first-year students begin moving in today. While one of the largest and most academically gifted class in the university’s history, according to a statement from the college, the class size is 150 fewer than the 2,200 last year and 200 fewer than the 2,250 that were expected to start in 2017.

Part of this year’s growth comes from the new bachelor of science in nursing program in partnership with Sinclair Community College, according to the statement.

The university also has grown its international population with the UDayton Global program in partnership with Shorelight Education.

Nine new graduate programs have been created at in the last five years. These, along with other new options like the Law@Dayton hybrid juris doctorate, online Master of Business Analytics, online Doctor of Education in Leadership for Organizations and online Applied Behavior Analysis, also have increased enrollment, according to the statement.

The class of 2023 sets a record for most students eligible for the Federal Pell Grant at 18%, according to the release.

“We are committed to improving financial access for talented students who might have thought a University of Dayton degree was out of reach,” said Jason Reinoehl, vice president for strategic enrollment management. “In recent years, the University has championed a transparent tuition model, created new programs and pathways and been a leader in the national American Talent Initiative to expand access to an excellent education for students regardless of their income level.”

Traffic near the university today likely will be busier as the class begins to move in.