By Matthew Sotlar / The Jambar
Youngstown State University experienced an enrollment increase for the 2025-26 school year, with total student headcount up 2.1%.
In a report released Sept. 17, YSU documented over 12,000 new students enrolled in various programs.
Those highlighted in the enrollment surge include:
- 37% increase in on-campus associate degree enrollment
- 24% increase in College Credit Plus enrollment
- 28% increase in doctoral enrollment
- 1.9% increase in full-time undergraduate students
- 25% increase in online enrollment
- 4.5% increase in in-state enrollment
Jeanne Herman, associate vice president of strategic enrollment, said the increase is part of a trend continuing from the 2024-25 school year.
“In fall [2024], we had a large increase in enrollment, and for the fall [2025], we were not only able to maintain that, but we grew another 2% in addition to that. A lot of that has to do with us diversifying our new student population,” Herman said.
These diversifications include new associate degree programs. Herman said the sharp uptick in associate-degree enrollment came from the addition of the programs.
“The reason why they were so high is because, prior to last year, we had few associate options,” Herman said. “The enrollment in our associate programs was very low, so when we created more associate programs, it climbed very steadily because we had many more options.”
The new options include an associate degree of Science in Health Information Management, along with an associate degree of Applied Science in Fire Science — both of which are online only.
The CCP enrollment increase was caused in part by the closure of Eastern Gateway Community College in October 2024. Herman said the CCP courses offered by EGCC were transferred to YSU.
“When Eastern Gateway closed its doors last year, we stepped in and provided the need for some of the school districts’ college credit through their college,” Herman said. “We provided some of those services, so we did grow in enrollment because we were able to gain some new school districts that we previously didn’t have for the College Credit Plus [program].”
In addition to new programs and CCP outreach, Herman said YSU’s affordability and networking opportunities help strengthen enrollment.
“Our value, along with our price, is really important to note,” Herman said. “One thing we do that’s unique at Youngstown State is that you have the opportunities. Sometimes, you have a lot of options that you receive at a larger school, but we give you a more personal experience that you’d receive at a smaller school.”
Herman added that every facet of YSU — whether it be faculty, staff, departments or offices — helps bolster both enrollment and student success.
“From payroll to [human resources], it’s not just admissions … every single person plays an important role,” Herman said. “Faculty plays a very important role, but I think part of our success is the fact that we have come together and collaborated in many different ways in the last three or four years that had not happened in the past.”