SLIPPERY ROCK -- Slippery Rock University has seen consecutive increases in enrollment over the last nine years, with a 2.75% increase for the fall 2025 semester.
"Slippery Rock University is on the rise like never before, with our most significant enrollment increase year-over-year since 2016, as well as our largest enrollment in the last five years, at 8,625 students," SRU's Vice President for Enrollment Management Michael May said. "We are fulfilling our promise to be a first-choice destination where students thrive. Our record-breaking retention and graduation success include the highest first-to-second-year retention rates and four-year graduation rates in the state system, and we are among the leaders in the nation for institutions of our size and mission.
"These are key indicators that drive our national rankings as a best value and top public institution. Our efforts to support students through career-readiness initiatives, personalized advising and mentoring programs and expanded learning and engagement opportunities are contributing to our growth and student success," he said
The 1,549 full-time, first-year undergraduate students is the largest number at SRU since 2019.
"At SRU, we are continually aligning our academic program array with the needs of today's students and tomorrow's workforce," SRU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Zieg said. "By listening to employers and industry leaders, our faculty are continually updating existing curricula while simultaneously developing innovative and in-demand degrees to prepare graduates for immediate impact in their fields. In the last year, SRU has added programs in electrical and computer engineering and construction management, as well as new nursing collaborations with regional partners such as Allegheny Health Network and the Community College of Beaver County."
"While many institutions are bracing for challenges ahead, SRU is rising with confidence as a first-choice university, delivering record enrollment, retention and graduation outcomes," SRU's President Karen Riley, who began her third academic year leading the university this semester, said. "Our successes are driven by our bold vision for the future, as detailed in our new strategic plan. By staying true to our mission and embracing innovation, we are positioning our students, our region and our university to thrive for generations to come."
Slippery Rock University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and is part of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. SRU has enrolled more than 8,200 students annually since 2006 and is an innovation center and catalyst for the people and employers of the Pittsburgh region.
Overall, Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education - of which Slippery Rock is part - saw its fall 2025 enrollment climb to 83,000 students, a 0.6% increase across its 10 universities. It was the first systemwide increase in more than a decade.
Student retention reached its highest point on record, and students transferring from a Pennsylvania community college increased by 14.3%. Eighty-nine percent of PASSHE students are from Pennsylvania