More Students Make the Bold Choice as Fall Admissions Surge

As higher education continues to emerge from three years of unprecedented disruption, an enrollment surge for Fall 2023 is re-affirming Rhode Island College’s status as a first-choice institution.

First year applications for the Fall 2023 semester reached their highest level since before the pandemic, increasing more than 30 percent over Fall 2022.  In addition, Rhode Island College is experiencing record numbers of first-year students already committing to attend in Fall 2023.  “Year over year, first-year deposits have increased 130 percent”, according to James Tweed, Rhode Island College’s Dean of Enrollment Management.  “I believe the growth can be attributed to the college’s many strengths, such as offering in-demand undergraduate programs in heath sciences, data analytics, computer science, health care administration, education, nursing, and the visual and performing arts. Combined with the college’s vast experiential learning opportunities, these programs provide RIC students with the real-world experience potential employers are seeking”. 

These increases come despite nationwide demographic trends showing both a shrinking pool of traditional college-age students and a lower participation rate among graduating high school seniors, trends that have hit the Northeast particularly hard. That data portended a grim outlook for regional comprehensive public colleges throughout the region, but RIC’s renewed institution-wide focus on delivering a student-centered, 21^st century, affordable education has produced a rising trend line for new student enrollment growth over the past two years.

“This dramatic increase in both applications and deposits demonstrates that more people are recognizing the value of a Rhode Island College education, providing the best combination of quality academics and affordability in the region,” said Tweed. “Rhode Island College froze tuition and housing costs for 2023-2024 at the 2022-2023 rates, while continuing to modernize campus facilities.

Along with the college’s enduring reputation for rigorous, personalized education and comprehensive student supports, these factors have helped build momentum for increased enrollments. The results speak for themselves.”

If the numbers continue trending in this direction, the Class of 2027 will be the largest in years – and serve as affirmation that more students are making the bold choice to pursue their educational goals at Rhode Island College.

Founded in 1854, Rhode Island College is a leading regional comprehensive college personalizing education for undergraduate and graduate students throughout its five schools: the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, the School of Business, the Zvart Onanian School of Nursing, and the School of Social Work.  As Rhode Island’s first public institution of higher education and first four-year public federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in all New England, RIC is ranked highest among regional public universities in New England for social mobility, according to U.S. News and World Report.  The 180-acre campus is located in beautiful, historic Providence, Rhode Island.