TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Enrollment is down once again as the Fall 2023 semester gets underway at Indiana State University.

However, school officials say the numbers show continued growth for the past two years when looking at the number of incoming freshmen.

ISU released the total headcount of 8,305 students enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year. That’s down from the fall 2022 number of 8,658, and the fall 2021 number of 9,459.

But of those 8,305 students, 1,568 are first time full time freshmen, which the school says is a 2% increase over last year’s number and makes this year’s freshmen class 10% larger than two years prior.

“We are encouraged by the continued growth of our new freshman classes over the past two years. After the prior few years of unforeseen challenges, we have prioritized rebuilding what the Sycamore experience looks like. The positive results of that effort are seen in our increased retention and graduation rates. In addition, the energy at this year’s Convocation and March Through the Arch ceremonies was something we hadn’t seen in some time,” Dr. Deborah Curtis, ISU’s President, said.  

The school also touted a 69% retention rate, which is an increase of 4% over the fall of 2021.

WTWO’s Jen Thompson spoke with school officials Wednesday including ISU President Deborah Curtis regarding the numbers and what they mean for the school. To read her story click here.