At least 24 Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) member schools have announced positive enrollment growth for the fall 2024 semester. More institutions will likely report positive growth in the fall as numbers are finalized. The uptick in enrollment aligns with the national trend of increased interest in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) after the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action.
“We are excited but not surprised to see the enrollment gains at these institutions,” Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, said. “HBCUs are in the spotlight for the right reasons and are undergoing historic transformations.
Of TMCF’s 55 publicly supported member institutions, the schools listed below have reported enrollment growth for the fall semester. These gains were either announced by the schools or reported by the media.
- Alabama A&M University
- Last year, AAMU reported an enrollment of 6,633 students – the largest in its history. This fall, an estimated 7,000 students are expected to enroll by the close of registration.
- Alabama State University
- The University’s vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr. Malinda W. Swoope, shared that the University’s first-time, new student enrollment rate increased by 12.5 percent over fall 2023, with an increase of 5.27 percent in total enrollment that includes incoming freshman, returning students and graduate students.
- Alcorn State University
- Alcorn State University has experienced an increase in its enrollment numbers, welcoming over 100 new students for the 2024-2025 academic year. The total unduplicated enrollment has risen to 2,995 students, marking a 5% increase from the previous year’s 2,894 students.
- Bishop State Community College
- The college has registered 4,059 students, representing a 76% increase over fall 2023 and an impressive 36.76% increase compared to fall 2022. Bishop State has not seen comparative enrollment numbers in the last 18 years, when total enrollment reached 4,070 in fall 2006.
- Central State University
- Central State University had a 54% increase for students, both undergraduate and graduate, according to the Ohio Department of Higher Education data, but the university saw a decline in overall enrollment due to an online-only program ending this year, said Amy Hobbs, interim provost at Central State University. Enrollment at the campus in Wilberforce near Xenia was flat.
- Elizabeth City State University
- Elizabeth City State University has reported a remarkable 23% increase in the number of first-time freshmen. The freshman class has surged to 427 students, up from 347 in fall 2023, making it the largest since 2012.
- Fayetteville State University
- Fayetteville State University’s fall 2024 enrollment surpasses 7,000 students, marking the third consecutive year of record-setting enrollment representing a 12% increase since fall 2018.
- Gadsden State Community College
- The college said its numbers are up 8.14 percent when comparing the fall 2024 semester with fall 2023. This follows a 62 percent increase in overall enrollment for the 2023-24 academic year compared to 2022-23.
- Grambling State University
- GSU continues its positive trend, with total enrollment reaching 5,150 students for fall 2024. This represents a gradual increase from previous years and includes a notable rise in first-time, full-time freshmen, who now stand at 1,013.
- Howard University
- Howard University welcomed the largest incoming class in the school’s history this fall. More than 2,700 first-year college students arrived on campus.
- Kentucky State University
- Early numbers show a 4% increase in enrollment for the fall, and KSU President Dr. Koffi Akakpo has challenged the university to increase enrollment to 3,000 students in coming years.
- Langston University
- Langston University experienced a growth of about 2.8% in full-time enrollment compared to the 2023-24 school year. Some of the largest increases came from freshman and graduate enrollment.
- Lincoln University
- Enrollment at Lincoln increased by more than 14% compared to fall 2023, giving the university its highest attendance numbers since 2019.
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Mississippi Valley State University was among the universities contributing to the state’s enrollment growth, with a 4% increase from last fall.
- Morgan State University
- Morgan State University expects to have record enrollment for the fourth consecutive year – and meet its goal of 10,000 students six years early. A spokesperson told media enrollment for this fall is expected to rise to 10,400-10,800 students, up from 9,800 for last fall.
- North Carolina A&T State University
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University received more than 47,000 undergraduate and graduate applications for admission this fall, resulting in a 3% increase in enrollment this year over last year.
- North Carolina Central University
- North Carolina Central University has seen a 71% increase in total enrollment, welcoming 8,579 students this year. The freshman class alone is historic, including 1,753 first-time students—the largest in the university’s 114-year history. Additionally, NCCU saw a 24% increase in online education enrollment.
- Prairie View A&M University
- Prairie View A&M University has achieved record-breaking enrollment for the fall 2024 semester, reaching 9,893 students, surpassing the previous high of 9,516 set in 2018.
- Shelton State Community College
- SSCC has had a 2% enrollment increase this semester and its president, Dr. Jonathan Koh, said he expects enrollment to increase a total of 4% after fall enrollment is complete. That number includes dual enrollment, online and in-person students and represents an increase of about 150 students.
- Philip’s College
- Philip’s College is reporting record-breaking numbers for enrollment for the fall 2024 semester. They currently have over 17,000 students enrolled. Last year, they had just over 14,000 students enrolled for the 2023 fall semester.
- Trenholm State Community College
- According to preliminary data from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, Trenholm State experienced an impressive 18.3% increase in enrollment in 2024.
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff announced a 7% increase in overall new student enrollment. Notably, there was a 39% surge in transfer students for the fall 2024 semester.
- University of the District of Columbia
- Enrollment at UDC has surged from 3,855 in fall 2023 to 4,202 in fall 2024—an increase of 9%. The university has steadily increased its student population over the past two years.
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore hit a milestone this fall as its student population eclipsed 3,000 for the first time in five years. UMES’ combined undergraduate and graduate total of 3,166 marked the fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth.
