The university’s annual fall census was conducted September 8 after the 10th day of classes. The enrollment includes undergraduate, graduate and non-degree and non-credit students at the Harrisonburg, Virginia and Lancaster, Penn.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated enrollment teams, and the unwavering support from faculty, staff, and the entire EMU community, we are seeing an increase in our incoming undergraduate enrollment numbers for the first time since the pandemic in 2020. Amid the headwinds that continue to buffet higher education today, we celebrate that more students are choosing EMU to help them fulfill their educational and professional goals, beginning their journeys as unifying leaders with us,” Braydon Hoover, vice president for enrollment and marketing at EMU, said.
The census data also reveals a 10 percent increase in the size of the fall incoming undergraduate class from 218 in fall 2024 to 239 in fall 2025. The number of new first-year undergraduate students increased 11 percent from 160 to 178 in fall 2025. Last fall, 35 percent of first-year undergraduate students identified as first-generation students, but a historically high percentage identified as such for fall 2025: 48 percent. Nearly half of the incoming class is student athletes.
The university’s top majors for the incoming class are nursing, biology and business administration. The Class of 2029 come from 15 states, Puerto Rico and four countries. Seventy-three percent are from Virginia, including 20 percent from the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Among the most diverse classes in the university’s history, the Class of 2029 has 43 percent of students who identify as minority. Nearly 1/4 of the class enter EMU with at least 10 college credits and the average GPA is 3.49.
ICYMI: College enrollment news
The undergraduate class contains 730 students and 358 graduate students are enrolled, including 126 new graduate students. The largest gains in enrollment from last year in graduate programs were in Biomedicine (45 percent increase), Seminary (41 percent) and Graduate Teacher Education (4 percent). EMU’s graduate programs have students from 20 states and five countries.
EMU’s Graduate Teacher Education program has 35 educators who are seeking licensure renewal while only 22 were enrolled in 2024.
Graduation rates at the Harrisonburg-based university are 55 percent for four-year degrees and 60 percent for six-year degrees. Fall 2025 is the seventh consecutive year that the university’s retention rate, which is generally used as a gauge of student satisfaction, has measured 74 percent or higher.
“Now more than ever before, the world needs EMU graduates — leaders specially trained to serve as bridge builders and peacemakers. It’s gratifying to see our students continue to answer that call and equip the skills needed to make positive change in our world,” EMU Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham said.
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Rebecca Barnabi
