SRU enrollment up for a third straight year and retention is at a record high

Slippery Rock University’s enrollment is at 8,394 students according to the Fall 2024 census data.

Sept. 19, 2024

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University's enrollment has risen for a third straight year and SRU's retention rate has hit a record high.

According to the preliminary data for the Fall 2024 semester, 8,394 students are enrolled at the University, including 6,853 undergraduates and a first-year enrollment of 1,547 students. The first-year class is up by 12 students compared to last year and the total enrollment has increased by 32 (0.38%).

Additionally, 84% of first-year students from the Fall 2023 semester have returned this fall, the highest total on record (since 2004) and well above the national average of 74% for four-year public institutions.

"We are pleased to see that an SRU education continues to be in high demand and our students are succeeding when they get here," said Michael May, SRU's vice president for enrollment management. "Our record first-to-second-year retention rate is exciting because it confirms how dedicated our students, faculty and support staff are to SRU and achieving positive outcomes. We are grateful for everyone who has made SRU their first-choice institution, especially in a year that has presented challenges and delays at the federal level for student aid applications." 

High school students who completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid were down nearly 12% across the state compared to last year, after the U.S. Department of Education launched a new FAFSA on Dec. 31, 2023, three months later than usual. The rollout included several issues, delays and errors resulted in a decline in submission rates nationwide. 

The 15th day of classes at SRU, which was Sept. 16, is used as the official date for national and state reporting purposes; however, the data are considered preliminary because Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education verifies and reports official enrollment statistics next month.

More information is available in this infographic or by visiting archived data reports on the SRU website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 |  justin.zackal@sru.edu