BOWLING GREEN — For the second consecutive year, Bowling Green State University is setting enrollment records as it welcomes one of its largest, and the highest-achieving, freshman classes in the university’s history.

New student enrollment is up 12 percent compared to fall 2023 and up 22 percent compared to fall 2022, according to BGSU spokesman Michael Bratton.

“The class of 2028 has 3,900 students from across Ohio and more than 30 states, with first-year, out-of-state enrollment up 21 percent,” Mr. Bratton said. “Enrollment is also up across Ohio, with first-year enrollment of students from northwest Ohio up 19 percent. First-year enrollment of international students has doubled compared to fall 2023.”

The incoming class also has the highest GPA in BSGU’s history.

“This class is the highest academically achieving class,” he said. “The freshman cohort has a 3.69 grade-point average and an average ACT score of 25.1.”

BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said BGSU was thrilled to see all the new students coming onto campus.

“As a public university for the public good, we are committed to ensuring a Bowling Green education is accessible and of great value,” Mr. Rogers said. “We are excited to welcome so many new students to our learning community, defying national and even statewide enrollment trends.”

For the second consecutive year, the university also is seeing historic student success and retention rates, underscoring the Wall Street Journal’s ranking of BGSU as the No. 1 university in Ohio for the student experience.

“We know engagement is a key driver of student success,” said Glenn Davis, interim provost, senior vice president, and vice president for student engagement and success at BGSU. “We will remain focused on ensuring students get involved on our campuses, from joining student clubs and organizations, to leading undergraduate research alongside our faculty, to participating in internships and co-ops and attending athletics and arts events.”

Mr. Rogers said he believes enrollment has continued to increase because the university has leaned into the student experience and is offering majors in programs the state and country need.

“We pivoted our programs to what society needed,” Mr. Rogers said. “Programs in STEM, health care, aviation, architecture, forensic science, and resort and attraction management also are bringing in students from outside Ohio to Bowling Green. There has been amazing growth in those programs.”

The BGSU Life Design program has also driven enrollment, especially for students who are undecided in their major upon starting their academic journey.

“Look, we know that what goes on in the classroom, the academics, is extremely important,” Mr. Rogers said. “But there is so much more to the college experience. The Life Design program asks students what they want out of college, their careers, and their lives. This program is designed to develop the whole person.”

Mr. Rogers said the students and families were very happy with the fall-like weather while moving into the dorms. During orientation, he likes to give students advice he once received from a mentor.

“She told me the secret to success was to show up,” Mr. Rogers said. “You have to show up physically, mentally, and intellectually. We ask students to bring their own perspective here and to be ready to learn together. Our staff, educators, and administrators are all in on their education.

“We need them to be all in as well and connect and engage with each other and the community,” he said.

First Published August 21, 2024, 5:50 p.m.