Emporia State’s enrollment for the 2025 academic year has increased 5.8 percent compared to 2024 with 4,820 enrolled students, according to 20 day enrollment data from the Kansas Board of Regents. The percent increase is the highest of all Regent state universities. 

This is the first year headcount enrollment numbers have increased for ESU since fall 2020.

The KBOR headcount is “well above the enrollment projections” from 2022, ESU President Ken Hush said in a news release from the university. He attributed the change to initiatives targeting academic programs, student recruitment and retention, affordability, university financial performance and community impact. 

First-time undergraduate student enrollment is up 30 percent compared to 2024 and enrollment for first-time graduate students saw an 81 percent increase, the news release said. Overall enrollment for undergraduates increased 8 percent and the number of undergraduate transfers increased 7 percent. 

The number of on-campus students saw a 5 percent for 2025. Residence hall occupancy increased by 23 percent, the release said.

Individual programs also had increases in enrollment, including The Teachers College and pre-nursing program. 

“Thank you to the campus and community for rallying together. It’s our teamwork that is boosting enrollment and propelling us forward,” said Taylor Kriley, executive vice president for enrollment management and student success, in the news release. “Since 2022, we’ve been attacking the cost of higher education and investing in strike zone programs to ensure we are best serving students, the system, and the state of Kansas.”