Henderson State University enrollment of first-time freshmen and transfer students increased significantly for the Fall 2024 semester as the campus continues to strengthen its recruiting and partnership efforts, Chancellor Trey Berry announced today.
Preliminary 11th-day reporting shows a 23 percent jump in first-time freshmen with 391 compared to 319 in Fall 2023. Likewise, transfer student enrollment increased 19 percent with 149 students compared to 125 in Fall 2023.
Additionally, the number of students living on campus increased by 6.5 percent — with 933 students on campus this fall versus 876 last year.
“Our growth in first-time freshmen and transfer students at Henderson is a testament to the hard work of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends,” Berry said. “The Reddie community is committed to the health and vitality of our university. It is inspiring to see the Reddie community at work to ensure that our campus remains the School with a Heart.
“This growth is also a testament to the positive momentum that Henderson State University is currently experiencing. There are such bright days ahead for HSU!”
Trends for overall enrollment have improved significantly, with total fall enrollment of 2,061 students, only 3.6 percent lower than the 2,139 students last year. Fall 2024 enrollment includes 1,468 undergraduate and 593 graduate students.
Graduate enrollment decreased by 7.6 percent — with 593 students compared to 642 students in Fall 2023. This is attributed to a grant program that ended in 2023.
Since January, Henderson has refocused its efforts on a more personal style of recruiting with prospective students and building stronger relationships with state and regional high schools. Berry, who became Henderson’s chancellor on Jan. 1, also cites unique academic degrees and partnerships as primary reasons for student interest in Henderson.
In addition to offering the only bachelor’s degree in aviation in Arkansas, Henderson offers a Master of Business Administration in Aviation Management and a commercial multi-engine add-on licensure program.
Henderson’s new Pre-Med Pathway prepares qualified students for admission to medical school with no MCAT required, thanks to a new partnership with New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University that is unique to Arkansas.
Top degree programs based on enrollment at Henderson include business administration, health sciences, aviation, and elementary education. For a complete list of academic majors, please visit hsu.edu/degrees.
“Whether it is new offerings like our Pre-Med Pathway or additions to our aviation program, our mission is to ignite learning and connect students with in-demand career opportunities,” Berry said. “We invite prospective students and their families to come visit Henderson and see the full range of what we have to offer.”
For information or to schedule a campus visit, please visit hsu.edu/getreddie.