Southern Utah University Doubles Enrollment in a Decade
Published: October 15, 2024 | Author: Brooke Heath | Read Time: 3 minutes
CEDAR CITY, UT — Oct. 15, 2024 — Southern Utah University (SUU) proudly announces a
significant milestone in the history of the institution: its student population has doubled in size over the past ten years, now reaching an all-time high of 15,444 — a 2.7% increase from last fall. Additionally, enrollment is projected to continue to grow and surpass 16,000 by the end of the Fall 2024 semester — a noteworthy 3% increase. The data reflecting this achievement comes from the latest third-week enrollment data released by the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).
A key factor in this growth is the University’s robust online program, which now serves over 3,500 fully online students. In addition, SUU's graduate programs continue to grow, boasting the third-largest enrollment rates in the state.
“Each of SUU’s online classes upholds our high standards, offering the flexibility and quality necessary for our students to reach their education goals and thrive regardless of where they are physically located,” said Steve Meredith, Associate VP of Enrollment Management for Graduate and Online Services. “Additionally, SUU continues to attract graduate students to its top-enrolled programs, including business administration, music technology, accountancy, education, interdisciplinary studies, and professional communication.”
Building on the impressive growth in enrollment, SUU’s report also details a historically high graduation rate of 60.7%, reflecting a 1.6% increase from last year's rate of 59.1%. Additionally, the University has successfully retained 75.5% of its students, also a new record high.
“These record highs in graduation and retention are a testament to SUU’s unwavering commitment to putting our students’ experience and satisfaction at the forefront of everything we do, ” said Jared Tippets, Vice President for Student Affairs.
Other highlights include:
- International student enrollment has risen, from 832 students last year to just over 1,000 this year
- 25% of students are first-generation (the first in their family to pursue a college degree)
- Average undergraduate class size is 20 students
- SUU’s incoming freshman class also reflects a diverse demographic with students hailing from all 29 counties in Utah, 50 states and 91 countries
“While SUU has seen significant growth over the last decade, we’ve maintained the personalized learning environment that SUU is known for,” said Shauna Mendini, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Our classes remain small and continue to be taught by highly qualified and caring faculty who provide essential mentoring and learning opportunities to help students advance.”
Southern Utah University is a caring campus community where students realize their potential through personalized mentorship from people dedicated to helping them soar. Offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, SUU provides hands-on, career-focused learning to prepare students for the future. Located in the world’s best backyard, SUU’s safe and vibrant campus offers a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels supported and inspired by both the natural beauty and a strong sense of community. Whether on campus or online, SUU provides an education that is competitively priced and highly valued, giving students the skills and confidence to thrive in any professional setting. This is where students soar.
For more information about Southern Utah University and its academic offerings, please visit www.SUU.edu.
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu