Wright State enrollment continues to grow, reaching 12,157 students

Wright State University enrollment grew to 12,157 students this fall — a 12% increase since 2022. (Photo by Erin Pence)

Wright State University’s overall enrollment increased this fall, with 12,157 students enrolled at the university’s Dayton and Lake campuses, a 2% increase from fall 2025 and a 12% increase since 2022.

The university welcomed 2,000 first-time students, a 2% increase from last year and a 43.5% increase since 2021. First-time domestic enrollment increased 10% to 1,941 students. First-time enrollment at the Dayton Campus increased 1.6% to 1,736 students while enrollment at the Lake Campus increased 4.8% to 264 students.

Nearly half (44.5%) of the first-time cohort are Pell Grant recipients, reflecting the university’s commitment to providing an affordable and accessible education. Nursing was the most popular choice among first-time students, followed by mechanical engineering, psychology, elementary education and biological sciences.

“Another year of enrollment growth reflects the commitment of our faculty and staff to provide students with an education that is accessible and focused on their success,” said Wright State University President Sue Edwards. “We’re encouraged that more students continue to choose Wright State. This trend reflects the value students see in a Wright State education and gives us confidence in our region’s future.”

Wright State also welcomed 770 transfer students this fall, a 5% increase from last year. Transfer enrollment at the Lake Campus increased 59% to 97 students, while the Dayton Campus enrolled 673 transfer students. Forty-three percent of transfer students received Pell Grants.

The number of high school students taking college courses through Wright State’s College Credit Plus program increased nearly 19% to 1,271 students.

Edwards said Wright State’s affordability, academic programs and regional partnerships are important factors in the university’s enrollment growth. Wright State offers one of the lowest undergraduate tuition rates in Ohio and was ranked the top public university in the state for student experience in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 America’s Best Colleges rankings.

“Wright State is committed to ensuring a high-quality education is within reach for more students and families,” Edwards said. “Our affordability, strong academic programs and regional connections give students a clear path from college to their chosen career, without taking on unnecessary financial barriers.”

Wright State’s Take Flight Program, which provides eligible students with a tuition-free education, also continues to grow, with 300 students in the program’s fifth cohort, nearly doubling the 161 students in its inaugural cohort in 2022.

The university’s positive enrollment growth follows other recent successes, including earning a perfect Senate Bill 6 score from the State of Ohio for the third consecutive year and receiving a positive outlook from Moody’s Investor Services.

Wright State has also strengthened its regional impact through partnerships with Premier Health, Dayton Children’s Hospital and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.