Walsh University is beginning the academic year on a high note, welcoming its largest incoming freshman class since 2019 and its highest-achieving class in school history.
This year, Walsh University proudly welcomed 396 incoming freshmen, a 4.8% increase over 2024, contributing to a university-wide enrollment of 2,157 students, including 1,418 undergraduates, 647 graduate students, and 100 students in degree-completion programs. The University also welcomed 58 transfer students, the largest number since 2019 outside of last year’s unique transition of students from Notre Dame College, including its men’s and women’s rugby teams.
Between 2023 and 2025, Walsh has seen a 21% increase in new students (freshmen and transfers) with a 4.5% increase in freshmen and a 35% increase in transfers over the last 5-year average. This growth is particularly notable given that the pool of high school graduates across Ohio and much of the Midwest continues to decline, a trend driven by lower birth rates since the 2008 recession.
Walsh’s enrollment success contrasts sharply with national and regional challenges in higher education recruitment. In particular, the University is drawing more students from Catholic high schools, particularly in Northeast Ohio, and including Cuyahoga County. Walsh is one of fewer than 23 institutions nationwide recognized as a Cardinal Newman Society Newman Guide Recommended College, a distinction reserved for universities that remain firmly committed to faithfully Catholic education grounded in academic excellence and moral formation. This reputation has become an increasingly important draw for families seeking a distinct and mission-driven education.
This year’s freshman class also brings the strongest academic profile in University history. The new cohort includes 68 Honors Program students and 22 Blouin Scholars, students committed not only to academic excellence but also to leadership and service. Walsh continues to be a dynamic, community-centered campus, with 866 students in residence halls, 776 student-athletes competing across NCAA Division II athletics, and students from 37 countries, including the United States, with 26 new international students joining this Fall to contribute to a vibrant campus community.
“Walsh University’s enrollment growth this year speaks to the transformative education we offer, grounded in Catholic values and an unwavering dedication to preparing students for professional excellence and lives of purpose,” said Rebecca Coneglio, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “We are incredibly proud to be welcoming a class that is not only our largest in several years, but also one of our most talented and diverse.”
