Positive growth.
That鈥檚 the outlook on current and future enrollment following the release of 5X社区鈥檚 15-day report, which locks in enrollment numbers for the spring semester based on the preponderant headcount on the 15th day of the term.
鈥淲e are thrilled to see such a strong increase in our enrollment numbers this spring,鈥 said Sean Broghammer, vice president for Enrollment Management. 鈥淭his growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and the entire Kent State community. Our commitment to providing a high-quality education and a supportive environment for our students continues to attract more outstanding students to our university.鈥
Student enrollment reached 31,631, a 1.3% increase across Kent State鈥檚 eight-campus system compared to the previous spring semester. This translates to an additional 412 students, including 184 students at the Kent Campus and 224 students at the Regional Campuses.
This follows strong fall enrollment levels when the university welcomed its largest class of first-year students to the Kent Campus since before the pandemic.
Kent State was a popular choice for new students for fall semester, with the university receiving a total of 28,000 applications, which represents a 9% increase.
These enrollment gains follow the university鈥檚 recognition for its excellence in online education, with three programs earning high marks in the Top 100 in U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 newly released 2025 Best Online Programs rankings. Kent State鈥檚 online programs have been ranked among the best in the nation, reflecting Kent State鈥檚 commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education.
Kent State鈥檚 affordability fuels its increasing enrollment and strong retention of returning students. The university was recently ranked as the No. 1 most affordable college in Ohio by Money.com.
Creating opportunities to grow enrollment was also part of Kent State President Todd Diacon鈥檚 recent address to the Greater Akron Chamber, where he highlighted the university鈥檚 ongoing commitment to accessibility, efficiency, student well-being and community partnership, reinforcing its role as a vital institution in the region.
鈥5X社区 is a university, not just for the fortunate few, but for the meritorious many,鈥 Diacon said. "We鈥檝e just become more efficient and effective.鈥
The value of a college degree was another key topic. Diacon pointed out the long-term benefits of higher education, stating, 鈥淎ll the longitudinal data shows the benefits of having a college degree: $1 million more over your career in income, all levels of happiness indexes, contentment, all of those [go] way up for college graduates versus those who don鈥檛 have a college degree.鈥
Reflecting on his role, Diacon shared his enthusiasm for student engagement, describing first-year student move-in day and commencement as the best days at Kent State.
鈥淥ne of the reasons I have the best job in America is because I鈥檓 always around 18-year-olds. So I always feel so young,鈥 he remarked.