Youngstown State University is reporting an increase in enrollment for Fall 2024, which university officials say bucks the national trend of declining higher education enrollment. The university's total headcount has risen to 12,164 students, a 10.7% increase from last year.

These numbers reflect an expected increase because they  include students from Eastern Gateway Community College, which dissolved earlier this year. 

While the release from the university notes 475 students from Eastern Gateway, it does not quantify how many of the new enrollees may have otherwise attended the community college if it were still accepting students. 

Enrollment at the Youngstown Eastern Gateway campus at one point had more than 1,000 students, although that number had decreased sharply leading up to its closure. 

The numbers mark the largest enrollment at YSU since 2018 and is fueled by a surge in undergraduate and graduate students. The university has seen a 13.0% increase in first-time undergraduate students, a 25.6% increase in out-of-state students, and a 106.5% increase in new transfer students.

Additionally, YSU has experienced a 44.0% increase in international students, a 41.0% surge in College Credit Plus enrollment, a 217.8% increase in associate degree students. 

"This outstanding achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated faculty and staff," said YSU President Bill Johnson.

President Johnson also emphasized the university's role as an anchor institution in Northeast Ohio, attracting students from across the state, nation, and the world. "The increase in out-of-state, international, and transfer students is a testament to our growing reputation and our ongoing efforts to provide accessible and innovative educational opportunities," he said.