Columbus State University Sees 3.9 Percent Increase in Fall Enrollment, Driven by Record Graduate Class

By Janell Williams

Columbus State University’s enrollment has risen 3.9 percent this fall compared to last year, driven by the university’s largest-ever graduate class, according to final figures submitted to the University System of Georgia. This is the second consecutive year CSU has reported growth in overall student headcount.

The official Fall 2024 enrollment stands at 7,937 students, marking a 4.9 percent increase in new undergraduate students and a 1.9 percent increase in total undergraduate enrollment compared to Fall 2023. This year’s headcount also includes a record-setting 1,790 graduate students, an 11.6 percent increase from last fall and surpassing the previous peak of 1,654 set in 2017.

President Stuart Rayfield credited the growth to CSU’s flexible, affordable offerings tailored to diverse student needs, whether those seeking an immersive college experience or those balancing studies with work and other responsibilities.

“We cater to students interested in an immersive experience marked by a vibrant social environment, but we also appeal to students who must maintain a work-life balance,” Rayfield said. “What is constant for all our students are our career-focused academic programs, mentoring faculty, and community partnerships that enhance their college experience.”

In addition to the enrollment increase, the university saw significant single-year growth in several demographic groups, including a 9 percent rise in new dual-enrolled high school students and a 29.4 percent increase in total dual-enrolled students, as well as a 5 percent increase in traditional-aged freshmen.

Rayfield noted that recruitment is part of a larger strategy to improve retention and graduation rates, adding, “Our newly introduced strategic plan has as its initial priority specific activities to advance students—particularly undergraduates—toward graduation, careers, and meaningful lives.”

The university has launched initiatives such as a redesigned core curriculum and enhanced student advising and career services to align academic paths with students’ professional goals. Columbus State’s 90-plus undergraduate and graduate degree programs include a range of fields, from arts and business to health professions, social sciences, and STEM disciplines.