TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — New student enrollment remains strong for a local college.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is expecting a freshman class of more than 600 students. This is the second straight year the school has welcomed that many incoming freshmen at Rose-Hulman, and the third time in the school’s history.

Rose-Hulman says the students represent 42 states and 18 countries outside the United States.

“Most important is bringing these students to the Terre Haute community because we’re bringing them in from California, from Texas,” said Vice President for Enrollment at RHIT Tom Bear. “Everyone here is in a really strong learning environment.”

Bear says enrollment has been consistent even during the pandemic.

“I think a lot of it, of course, is being in the STEM fields is really strong. But the learning environment that we provide for our students is also a great opportunity because they get a lot of hands-on experience here”

Other facts about this year’s incoming class that RHIT is touting include;

• Nearly 85% of the students reported a test score during the 2021-22 college recruitment period – twice above the national average reported by Common App.  
• The incoming students had standardized math and science test scores for college admission that ranked within the top 5% nationally.  
• Nearly one-third of this class is expected to be racially and ethnically diverse.

Students will be brought to campus this year on August 26 with fall classes getting underway in September.