More students are choosing VTSU, enrollment is up at start of second year

Vermont State University (VTSU) begins its second year by welcoming more than 1,700 new degree-seeking students in the Class of 2028 to its campuses this fall and reports a strong retention of returning students as well, meeting expectations for all campuses and exceeding projections in many programs. The new class is just over 200 students stronger than the inaugural class in Fall 2023, or 14% year-over-year. 

Since its unification in 2023, VTSU has worked to realign programs, learning options and course offerings to meet student interest and state economic and workforce needs.

The Class of 2028 represents 35 states and 11 countries, with students hailing from as far away as Florida to California and Italy to Japan. In fact, out-of-state student enrollment is up 13% across all VTSU campuses, enriching the student population and diversity of the campuses. 19% of the new class identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and 56% are first-generation college students.

VTSU leadership is optimistic about the future and will continue building on the successes of this year in the future. “The Class of 2028 is remarkable and it’s an honor to welcome them to Vermont State University for what is sure to be an exciting and very productive year,” shared Dave Bergh, VTSU president in a news release Sept. 5. “Their curiosity and engagement on issues that are important to them and their diversity of experience and interests have stood out to me as I’ve had the opportunity to meet them over the last week.”

The Vermont State Colleges System has long been the affordable and accessible higher and continuing education system of Vermonters, educating and providing opportunities to more Vermonters than all other institutions in the state combined. At VTSU this fall, over 70% of the Class of 2028 hails from Vermont, there are 100 more Vermont students in the Class of 2028 than there were in the Fall 2023 class, and all 14 counties are represented in the student body.

Over 7,000 students will make their way through a credit-bearing Vermont State University class or program at some point in the year. Another few thousand will take a continuing education class or other non-credit offering in the apprenticeship programs, in skilled workforce training, or via a one-day course. In any given semester, about 5,000 learners will be engaged in the University’s offerings. The University expects to report total fall enrollment after the half-semester courses start in October.

Alexandria Schermerhorn is a 2024 VTSU Castleton graduate and was Senior Class President, she is currently the Graduate Assistant for Student Activities on the VTSU Williston Campus. “I was unsure of how student life would be impacted by unification, but I found that transformation provided students with many more academic opportunities with a wide range of career-focused courses available virtually across the campuses, many extracurriculars, and in particular, expanded access to both campus-based and university-wide student government structures. I am excited to see the VTSU Williston campus continue to grow and improve support for students in their academic, social, and leadership endeavors. Even in the short weeks since the semester began, I can see new energy and enthusiasm among students, especially related to our new student government structure and constitution. It’s really exciting.” 

That excitement carries across VTSU’s campuses. New student enrollment numbers are as important as the retention of existing students. “We’re seeing indications that our retention is trending above historical rates,” noted Kelley Beckwith, vice president of student success. “There is a positive response to our new program array and advising model, both of which put students and their needs at the center of our work. Our online new student enrollment is up 25%, mainly driven by a handful of programs like Early Childhood Education, the bachelor’s degree RN-BSN nursing bridge program, and psychology. All are primarily enrolling Vermonters and have strong pathways internally and through Community College of Vermont (CCV), and all fill critical workforce demands across Vermont. While we still have some time before these numbers are finalized, these numbers represent solid progress. As always, we’re taking a look at what we’re doing right and where we can continue to improve.”

Vermont State Colleges system Chancellor Beth Mauch is focused on affordability and accessibility for students across the system as the Vermont State Colleges System looks to grow at both CCV and VTSU to better serve Vermonters of all ages seeking to upskill or earn a degree.

“Streamlining the ability to transfer within the Vermont State Colleges system, from CCV to VTSU, is incredibly important as we work to meet our students where they are and support their efforts to achieve an education that is affordable and accessible,” stated Mauch. “It’s a strategic priority of the system’s and I am incredibly pleased to see that internal transfers from CCV to VTSU are up 33% over last fall in this new class. That’s key as students bridge from CCV to a VTSU bachelor’s degree program or to the nursing program, or as they seek to transfer their early college credits.”

“We were laser-focused on stability and enrollment this year and these numbers are a testament to that work,” added President Bergh. “We’ll continue this essential work in partnership with the state and with our communities to carry this year’s success through the recruitment and ultimately the retention of our future classes. We are here for the benefit of Vermont and you see that reflected across our student body, with over 70% of our students coming from in-state and many of our out-of-state students choosing to stay in Vermont after graduation to make their life here and contribute to our economic vitality.”

He further stated, “I’m incredibly pleased with all our partners – faculty, staff, students, our communities, and our alumni – who worked together to share VTSU’s story and its unique offerings and helped us grow this year’s entering class to where it is today. Four years ago, the legislature and Governor decided the Vermont State Colleges were an essential investment. We would not be here today without their support and trust. We are seeing the fruits of that work in our institutions today.”