Dear Buffalo State University Community,
I want to share an update with you about fall 2024 enrollment numbers. Our total enrollment is 6,138 students, including 5,205 undergraduate students and 933 graduate students. Total enrollment is down 4.2% from 2023, when we welcomed the largest incoming class since the Covid pandemic. Our graduate enrollment increased 3.9% from a year ago. The full enrollment report is posted on the Institutional Research website.
The decrease in total enrollment was expected and is consistent with our fiscal sustainability plan, which recognizes that deficit reduction is a multi-year process. The reality is there will be peaks and valleys along the way. We remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing the deficit to ensure our long-term financial sustainability while continuing to do what we do best: delivering a high-quality educational experience for our students.
Our retention rate increased to 57.7%, up 3.0 percentage points from a year ago and up 8.4 percentage points since fall 2021. We have increased retention among residential students and commuters since fall 2021--both 8.4% increases.
The retention rate for our Say Yes program moved to 64.3%, an increase of 14.3% from a year ago. The Muriel A. Howard Honors program retention rate is up to 84.0%, an improvement of 6.4% from a year ago.
The increases in our retention rates reflect steady, consistent progress that is a result of excellent work from the entire campus community. Our collective efforts are making a difference.
Onward and upward.
Sincerely,
Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D.
Interim president, Buffalo State University