After the release of 20-day enrollment numbers, Hesston College is excited to announce a 21% increase in total student headcount for fall 2024 and is celebrating several upticks not seen in nearly two decades.

Total enrollment is up from 308 in fall 2023 to 372 this year, the largest single-year enrollment growth in 15 years. New student headcount is also up 55% from 151 in fall 2023 to 234 currently – 209 of these are first-year students, making it the largest freshman class since 2012.

Interim President Dr. Ross Peterson-Veatch attributed much of this success to the collective campus community creating high-impact visit days for prospective students and their families.

“Our census day was a very positive day this year, and this would not have been possible without everyone across campus working in coordination,” said Peterson-Veatch. “Coaches did a stellar job with their expanded rosters, and everyone who met with students built the relationships necessary to bring them in. The admissions team really organized visits beautifully so that coaches and faculty could meet with students. Even those who just smiled and welcomed students and their families on visit days made a huge difference.”

The number of new students from Kansas is down slightly from 69 to 58 this fall, as is the total number of enrolled students from Kansas with 121 this fall compared to 134 last year. The number of out-of-state students, however, more than made up for the in-state dips with a 65% increase from 82 to 135 this year. The total number of international students also saw a 28% increase with 64 students this year from 30 countries and U.S. territories; this is up from 50 international students last year. Hesston’s retention rate did drop 4% this year to 63%.