YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University is once again defying national trends, posting its second straight year of enrollment growth for fall semester.

“With a total student headcount up 2.1% compared to last year, YSU continues to demonstrate momentum and reinforce its value as one of the most affordable, high-quality institutions in the region,” a news release from the university states.

The release was sent following Wednesday’s monthly meeting of the YSU board of trustees.

The growth builds on the university’s record-setting enrollment surge in fall 2024, making this the first back-to-back enrollment increase in more than a decade.

Key highlights of the fall 2025 enrollment report include:

• Overall student headcount is up 2.1%.

• Full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment is up 1.9%.

• First-time undergraduate student enrollment is up 2.5%.

• First-time graduate student enrollment is up 6.9%.

• Doctoral enrollment is up 28%.

• In-state enrollment is up 4.5%.

• Online enrollment is up 25%.

• College Credit Plus (CCP) enrollment (for high school students) is up 24%.

• On-campus associate degree enrollment is up 37%.

• Continuing student enrollment is up 1.1%.

International enrollment continues to hold steady. YSU enrolled 351 new international students, exceeding its target of 250 to 350. Total international enrollment stands at 1,251 students, right in the middle of the university’s goal of 1,200-1,300, even as many institutions nationwide report declines, the university’s news release states.

“This is two years in a row of growth. That doesn’t just happen — it’s the result of relentless effort across this campus,” said YSU President Bill Johnson. “It is proof that Youngstown State University continues to deliver unmatched value in higher education.”

Johnson emphasized the significance of building on last year’s extraordinary increase.

“Last fall’s surge was fueled by unique factors — Eastern Gateway transfers, international growth and a spike in CCP students. The idea that we could stack another year of growth on top of that? Highly unlikely. But here we are. YSU has defied the odds.”

The president also noted the university’s record-setting degree completion. For summer and fall 2024 and spring 2025 combined, YSU awarded more degrees than in any year in the past decade — 1,030 more than the 2018-19 academic year.

“That is success in its truest form,” Johnson said. “More students choosing us, more students finishing strong — it’s further evidence that our students, families and communities recognize the unique value of Youngstown State University.”

YSU remains firmly positioned as Northeast Ohio’s anchor institution, serving as a hub of educational excellence, innovation and community impact, the release states.