Immaculata University Achieves Historic Enrollment and Diversity Growth for Fall 2024

Welcoming its largest class of new traditional undergraduate students in more than a decade, Immaculata University has enrolled 275 first-time freshmen and 69 transfer students for this academic year. Freshman enrollment has increased 37% over the past two years, while transfer enrollment has increased 47% in the same timeframe.

With enrollment totals still being finalized until late October for both graduate and adult professional learner programs, applications to Immaculata’s College of Graduate Studies and Research are already up by 10% compared to this time last fall. As of Sept. 5, the combined enrollment total of undergraduate and graduate students is at 2,302 students, a 2% increase compared to early September 2023.

“Great things are happening at Immaculata,” stated Immaculata President Barbara Lettiere. “Our growth in enrollments across all student populations illustrates our broad appeal. Not only do these numbers prove that prospective college students and their parents see the true value of Immaculata, they show that transferring college students looking for a better fit are finding a true home here.”

As part of its ongoing effort to boost enrollment, Immaculata is also endeavoring to make the University a welcoming and inclusive place for all who choose to come here. This too, is reflected in the incoming class of freshmen, as 2028 is the most diverse in the history of Immaculata with 38% of the students coming from historically underrepresented populations.

“Immaculata takes pride in creating a welcoming and inclusive place for all who choose to study here,” says Lynn S. Rothenhoefer, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion. “We are constantly growing so we can ensure that we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered at IU through affinity groups, education and intentional programming.”

Anticipating this enrollment growth, Immaculata answered the call through a year-long expansion and renovation project beginning last year that provided new dorm space for 27 additional students and ensured accommodation for all 559 students who opted to live on campus, the greatest number of residential students Immaculata has ever seen.

When asked about the increase in students choosing to live on campus, Immaculata’s Director of Residence Life and Housing Jennifer Lindsay believes students want to experience all campus has to offer, including making lasting personal connections. “Coming out of COVID, students were so disconnected for so long, so they are interested in building that connection again with friends and with roommates,” stated Lindsay. “We have always encouraged relationship building, and there’s also been a lot of work to increase transparency with what we do and to keep in contact with students to make them feel more involved and empowered as they navigate the on-campus housing process.”

Another reason some students are choosing to live on-campus, is due in part to a housing grant, which supports those in need of more financial support. According to Christine Rhine, executive director of undergraduate admissions, “The grant has been instrumental in making on-campus living more accessible to students with financial need. This year, 18% of our first-time freshman class received this grant through financial aid, contributing to a remarkable 66% increase in this population choosing to live on campus compared to last year.”

With an eye always on the future, Immaculata is looking ahead to fall 2025, where, as of Sept. 10, applications are up 31% compared to this time last year.