The University of Akron is a bit more crowded — and president R.J. Nemer said that’s a good thing.
Enrollment this fall sits at 15,318 students, a 3.4% increase from this time last semester. It marks the university’s largest year-over-year growth since 2021, a stated goal of Nemer, the business scion turned academic leader.
“There is incredible momentum at UA,” Nemer, entering his second year as university president, said in a press release.
“From excellent educational programming to the unmatched spirit across campus, the energy here is palpable. Students and families are recognizing that The University of Akron is creating opportunity and saying a resounding ‘yes’ to student success.”
The student gains are across undergraduate, graduate, law and College Credit Plus enrollments.
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What is the University of Akron’s largest enrollment increase?
Transfer students showed the largest increase, with the main campus experiencing more than 10% percent growth and the Wayne campus a 15% increase.
One of the most important student cohorts for universities — full-time, first-year students — rose from 2,055 last fall to 2,237 students this year on the main campus. That’s a 9.7% increase — and the largest increase since 2021.
The university is still far from its previous enrollment record.
In 2010, the university boasted 29,251 students, nearly double this semester’s student enrollment.
This fall’s enrollment increase occurs after the university made tough decisions about faculty and the programs it offers last academic year. It also comes on the heels of the state passing SB1, which will reshape higher education across Ohio, and a new branding campaign.
