Oklahoma State University has set a new enrollment record at its Stillwater and Tulsa locations (26,805) and reported record-setting freshman enrollment for the third consecutive year. When OSU launched the We Are Land-Grant plan in fall 2022, the first imperative was to enroll over 5,000 first-time freshmen by 2026. Although numbers will not be finalized until the census later this fall, this year’s freshman class represents an 8% increase over last year, topping the 5,000 mark for the first time. OSU President Kayse Shrum said she’s excited to welcome students to campus and to continue OSU’s momentum after meeting a significant strategic milestone two years ahead of schedule. “The enrollment trends at Oklahoma State University showcase the significant progress we're making,” Dr. Shrum said. “In 2022, we launched a strategy to transform higher education and better align students’ goals and passions with career opportunities. By keeping tuition and mandatory fees steady for the third consecutive year, we’re not just talking about our commitment to students; we’re living it. “Through efforts like the Ideal Graduate initiative, which launches this fall, we are equipping students with the skills and competencies that will open doors to fulfilling careers after graduation. By aligning industry needs with students’ career goals, we are also serving our state as an economic innovation and workforce development engine. As a premier, modern land-grant university, our goal is to empower students to solve society’s most pressing challenges, and that starts by ensuring they have every reason to dream big and every opportunity to pursue those dreams.” Vice President for Enrollment Management Karen Chen said OSU’s sustained trend of positive enrollment figures highlights not only OSU’s academic quality but also its commitment to transforming higher education with a student-focused approach. “Our enrollment continues to break records, and students and parents are choosing OSU because they know they’re not just a number here,” Chen said. “At OSU, our priority is to deliver a world-class education in an environment dedicated to helping students grow and succeed.” OSU also has set new school records for Honors College enrollment (3,395), Native American student enrollment (3,498) and nursing student enrollment (737), which is up nearly 120% compared to last year. Online enrollment (2,601) has risen nearly 19% compared to last year, and Graduate College enrollment (4,696) has risen 5% compared to last year. Total enrollment for the OSU System — the state’s largest university system, which includes OSU-Stillwater, OSU-Tulsa, OSU-CHS, OSUIT and OSU-OKC — is nearly 36,000. “As we celebrate these record-breaking enrollment figures, we reflect with pride on the dedication and hard work that have driven our progress and propelled us forward in implementing our strategic plan,” OSU Provost Jeanette Mendez said. “Meeting the 5,000 freshmen milestone two years ahead of our goal is a testament to the collective effort of the Cowboy family, and we are excited to continue to expand access to higher education.”
