Undergraduate enrollment rises nearly 5% at Wright State University

Undergraduate enrollment at Wright State University rose 4.7% to 7,963 students this fall, driving the university’s third consecutive year of overall enrollment growth to a total of 11,924 students. (Photo by Erin Pence)

Undergraduate enrollment at Wright State University rose to 7,963 students this fall, a 4.7% increase from last year and 9.4% since 2022, fueling the university’s third consecutive year of overall enrollment growth.

Overall, 11,924 students are enrolled at Wright State’s Dayton and Lake campuses this fall, a 10% increase since 2022.

Wright State welcomed 2,700 new first-time and transfer undergraduate students this fall, along with 724 new graduate students. Among them are 1,511 new first-time domestic undergraduate students on the Dayton Campus.

More students are also deciding to transfer to Wright State from other universities. A total of 740 students transferred to Wright State this fall, a 5.5% increase compared to 2024. The Lake Campus saw an especially sharp rise, with transfer students increasing by more than 52%.

“These continued increases in enrollment demonstrate our collective commitment to the students we serve and the transformative power and undeniable value of a Wright State degree,” said Wright State University President Sue Edwards. “The momentum we are experiencing and the positive energy related to Wright State’s future are noticeable, and that feels promising.”

Edwards said Wright State’s affordability and reputation are driving factors in the university’s enrollment momentum. Wright State offers one of the lowest undergraduate tuition rates in Ohio and was ranked the top public university in the state for social mobility in the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 America’s Best Colleges rankings.

“Wright State is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education, and we are thrilled that students and families are recognizing Wright State can help take them further,” Edwards said.

This positive enrollment news follows other recent successes for Wright State, including earning a perfect Senate Bill 6 score from the State of Ohio for the second year in a row. Wright State has also strengthened its regional impact through partnerships with Premier Health and Dayton Children’s Hospital and through ongoing collaborations with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the largest single-site employer in Ohio.

Earlier this year, Wright State launched a five-year Strategic Plan to advance student success, enhance collaborative partnerships and expand its role as a driver of economic vitality for the Dayton region.