Morgan State University Enrollment Swells to Nearly 11,000, Breaking Record for Fourth Consecutive Year

By Morgan State U

( BALTIMORE – November 27, 2024) — The numbers for  Fall 2024 have been finalized, and Morgan State University has recorded its fourth consecutive year of record first-year student growth and overall student enrollment, bucking national trends for higher  education. Morgan’s current reported student enrollment stands at 10,739, a 9.4% increase over the previous year; in addition, the University has attracted its largest freshman class ever, with 2,369 new students, a nearly 4% increase over 2023’s new student class. This year, Maryland’s largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) also achieved its highest graduate school enrollment in university history, with 1,712 students pursuing advanced degrees.

The 24,414 applications received for the fall semester, 96% of which came from first-time freshman applicants, reflect the interest in and enthusiasm for Morgan. This year’s freshman class hails from 41 states and seven countries and boasts an average high school grade-point average of 3.16. Also, for a fourth consecutive year, more than 50% (51%) of the new undergraduate students who chose Morgan came from states other than Maryland. Overall, 53% of Morgan’s students are residents of the state.

“Morgan’s record-breaking enrollment for Fall 2024 is a testament to the growing recognition of the transformative education and opportunities we offer. Achieving four consecutive years of record new student growth, alongside our highest-ever graduate school enrollment, speaks volumes about the dedication of our faculty, staff, and alumni to making Morgan a premier destination for students nationwide and around the world,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “The enthusiasm reflected in the 24,000-plus applications we received underscores our mission’s impact and our brand’s strength. As we continue to break barriers and set new benchmarks, Morgan remains committed to empowering students to achieve academic excellence and make meaningful contributions to society.”

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. increased by 1.2% for Fall 2023, marking the first increase in undergraduate enrollment since the pandemic. Graduate enrollment increased by 3.0% during Spring 2024, reversing the previous year’s losses. According to the Center, while these percentage gains in enrollment are optimistic signs for a potential recovery from pandemic losses, the raw numbers remain well below pre-pandemic levels. In comparison, Morgan’s enrollment has grown significantly since the pandemic, with each subsequent year resulting in record incoming class sizes and overall enrollment. In its 10-year strategic plan, the university anticipated enrollment of 10,000 students by 2030. It has reached that goal, unexpectedly, six years ahead of schedule.

When surveyed why they selected Morgan to attend college, nearly half of the first-year student respondents stated a desire to attend an HBCU and had Morgan at the top of their list. For the first time in over a decade, U.S. News and World Report has ranked Morgan among the top 10 HBCUs in its “Best Colleges” rankings. Financial aid and affordability were the second leading selection factor, followed by campus, facilities, and academic degree programs, which were tied for third.

Morgan offers over 150 academic programs leading to baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees or certificates. Since 2020, the University has added more than 30 new high-demand academic programs that address the work of the future and the future of work. In the first-year student class, the top declared majors were Nursing, Psychology, Management and Business Administration, Biology, and Computer Science.

“The consistent growth in enrollment at Morgan reflects a combination of strategic initiatives and our commitment to meeting the needs of today’s students. Furthermore, our focus on affordability and the development of modernized campus facilities have played key roles in attracting students from across the nation and beyond,” said Kara Turner, Ph.D., senior vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Morgan State University. “This enrollment milestone is a testament to our university’s strategic planning and the unwavering dedication of our staff. Morgan’s achievement of surpassing its enrollment goals six years ahead of schedule speaks volumes about the relevance of our academic offerings and the strength of our mission to transform lives through  education.”

Another standout data point has been the record growth among graduate students. The School of Graduate Studies saw a 14% increase in graduate student enrollment over the previous year. Growing the number of graduate school enrollees, particularly those in the doctoral program, is another facet of the University’s strategic plan. For Morgan to achieve its goal of elevating its status to R1, becoming a very high doctoral research university, it must increase its number of doctoral graduates to an average of more than 70 per year. Morgan also experienced an increase in the number of new students enrolled in the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies’ (CICS’) “Morgan Completes You” program, an initiative to assist degree completion of nontraditional adult learners who previously earned some college credits. CICS enrolled 162 students for the fall semester with a goal of reaching 350 students by Fall 2025.

With the growth of its student population, the university has maintained its focus on keeping its students enrolled. For the 14th consecutive year, Morgan has achieved a retention rate of more than 70%. Coincidingly, the graduation rates have been above 40% for the sixth consecutive year. According to recent statistics, HBCU graduation rates are approximately 35-40%, compared with approximately 60–64% for all four-year institutions nationwide. The variation is influenced by factors such as institutional resources, the socioeconomic backgrounds of students, and varying levels of state and federal funding.​

Each year in October, Maryland’s colleges and universities must submit their enrollment and other related data to the Maryland Higher  Education Commission (MHEC) by the designated enrollment freeze date. MHEC amended its Fall 2024 enrollment projections for Morgan to 10,704 students based on the increases seen over the past several years. Morgan has surpassed, and continues to surpass, all expectations.

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About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 academic programs leading to baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees or certificates. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.