Kutztown University Celebrates Significant Increases in Diversity and Students Served; Highest Freshman GPA ever for Fall 2023

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University welcomed 2,237 new degree-seeking students for the 2023-24 academic year, including an all-time high in incoming freshman GPA and new student diversity, and the first increase in overall full-time equivalent (FTE) students since 2010.

The average high school grade-point average of KU’s fall 2023 freshmen class increased from 3.32 to 3.35, the highest for the university in recorded history for the second-straight year.

KU's commitment to enhancing campus diversity also received a considerable boost once again with this year's freshmen class. The class boasts an all-time high of 31% minority students, a 2% increase over last year’s record 29%. The overall diversity of the student body remains steady at 25%.

KU’s overall FTE students rose for the first time in 13 years. It increased 1.57% to 6,574.47, including 1,573.2 new first-time, full-time students – the highest since fall 2018.  An institution’s FTE total is a calculation showing how many students would be attending if all were enrolled full time.

New students, which increased by 13 from fall 2022, include 1,594 freshmen, 398 transfers, 237 master’s and doctoral degree students, and eight miscellaneous degree/credential-seeking students.

KU’s four-year graduation rate increased by more than 1% to 42.93% (based on the 2019 cohort compared to 2018). During the 2022-2023 academic year, 1,686 students received 1,761 degrees.

“Kutztown University continues to be an affordable high-quality destination for undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learning opportunities,” KU president Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson said. “Our new student class continues to reflect that KU is also an optimal place to live, learn and grow for students of all backgrounds.

“I want to thank the many new Golden Bears who chose KU to advance their intellectual, social, civic, and career endeavors. I am proud of our Admissions Office and all the KU faculty and staff who continually work hard to attract new students to be part of the KU family.”

Total headcount enrollment for the 2023 fall semester is 7,427, down 0.56% from last fall. Of the students enrolled at KU, 6,431 are undergraduates, while 996 are enrolled in graduate studies, a 3.97% increase. A total of 6,474 students (87.2%) are commonwealth of Pennsylvania residents, while 953 hail from out of state. KU’s student body comprises 43 countries, 35 states and 96 international students (a 35.21% increase).

Official figures are reported after the university's fall freeze date for enrollment status, which occurs in mid-September.