Fall 2023 enrollment and retention at Goshen College remain steady

Goshen College’s fall 2023 enrollment shows an overall headcount of 824 students enrolled in all undergraduate, adult degree completion and graduate programs, which represents an increase of 56 students from last year.

Most of this growth came from the college’s adult degree completion program with 78 students enrolled, a 17 percent increase over last year due to particularly strong enrollment in the Transition to Teaching program and the English Learners Licensure program.

The graduate programs remained even with 51 total students: 2 environmental education, 10 Master of Business Administration (MBA), 22 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), 6 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and 11 students in the new Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

On the traditional undergraduate side, a total of 695 students are enrolled, which includes 189 new students. This total is down four students over last year, and included an increase in full-time Black (37 students this year compared to 30 last year) and international students (88 students this year compared to 75 last year).

The overall diversity of traditional undergraduate students continues to be strong, with 53 percent of students identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) or an international student, the highest percentage ever. The socio-economic diversity of traditional undergraduate students is also high, with 38 percent low income (Pell eligible) and 36 percent first generation college students.

Retention — a key measure of student satisfaction — remains strong, with 78 percent of last year’s first year students returning this fall. Of particular note, retention of Hispanic/Latinx students increased from 72 percent last year to 80 percent this year.

The college’s English as a New Language certificate program continues to thrive with 223 adult learners enrolled. Because the courses are not for college credit, these enrolled students are in addition to the overall enrollment numbers.

“GC is an open-minded, caring and diverse community with excellent academic programs, unique opportunities for real-world learning, and a strong, creative and friendly vibe. We prepare our students to thrive in life, leadership and service,” said Steve Wolma, vice president for enrollment management. “While we implement strategies to increase our overall enrollment, we also continue to be focused on being ever more student-centered in our approaches, services and programs.”