College enrollment climbs to highest total since 2018

Caption: Hesston College campus has been buzzing with activity since opening weekend, including the annual Nest Olympics where on-campus students gathered before taking their skills to Sieber Field for friendly competition. Total enrollment climbed for the second year in a row to 394 students, with residential life especially strong with 338 students living on campus — the highest in over a decade.

Hesston College is celebrating another year of enrollment growth, with fall 2025 census numbers showing continued momentum in key areas of student recruitment and campus life.

Total headcount this fall reached 394 students, an increase from 372 in fall 2024. This marks the college’s highest enrollment since 2018. Another highlight is Hesston’s strong growth in residential life with 338 students living on campus, the highest number since 2011. This represents a 51% increase in dorming students over the past two years.

New student enrollment came in at 209, making it the second straight year the recruited new student count exceeded 200. The number of new students from Kansas reached a five-year high at 75, showing increased regional interest in the college’s bachelor’s degree programs.

“This year’s enrollment result demonstrates measurable progress,” says Hesston College President Mark Landes. “With expanded four-year academic and athletic options, we were able to push total enrollment higher and now have the strongest residential community in over a decade. At the same time, we know retention is an area where we must and will continue to improve. I’m proud of the progress we have achieved and the direction we are heading. I’m also grateful to our entire campus for their daily investment in our students.”

International enrollment dropped to 54 students, compared to 64 last year. The decrease is primarily due to federal visa approval delays. Hesston College continues to attract a strong global presence with students coming from 27 different countries.

“International students enrich our classrooms, athletic teams and residence halls with their valuable perspectives and experiences,” Landes notes. “International education remains a core strength of Hesston College, and we look forward to continued growth in this area as federal processes stabilize.”