Central Connecticut State University welcomed one of its largest freshman classes in recent history, with admissions climbing between 20 and 26 percent over last year, according to university officials. The increase, they say, reflects a combination of recruitment strategies, affordability initiatives, and the popularity of certain programs.  

Lawrence Hall, Director of Admissions, said, “We’re over 1,700 students enrolled right now, where last year we were a little shy of 1,400. So, we’re 400 plus in the freshman class compared to last year. It’s a good group.” 

The growth is not limited to incoming first years. Campus housing has also exceeded expectations, with more than 2,500 students living on campus this fall, which passed the university’s original goal of 2,400. To meet the demand, CCSU expanded housing in Carroll Hall after briefly implementing a waitlist.  

University leaders credit a combination of outreach and broader visibility for the surge. CCSU has been casting a wider net of prospective students earlier in their high school careers. 

“I think what we’ve done is just try to make sure we can cast a wider net of more junior search pieces, senior search pieces, sophomore pieces, where we’re trying to attract students sooner and earlier in the process, where they’re not just finding out about us as a senior,” said Hall. 

That outreach includes travel beyond Connecticut, particularly into New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, as well as additional recruitment at regional community colleges. University staff also attended national conferences and expanded international recruitment. 

Affordability remains a foundation of CCSU’s strategy. The university has introduced measures to make education more accessible, including reducing the out-of-state tuition rate and strengthening support for Pell-eligible students. 

“We’ve been committed to Pell and Pell-eligible students,” Hall said. “We have a Pell Promise program. We were able to promote that, you know, tuition and fees are covered if you fall within certain economic bands.” 

Financial aid packages have been simplified, with scholarships offered at the time of admission based on academic performance. By providing early information on aid and communicating directly with both students and parents, CCSU has aimed to reduce financial uncertainty during the enrollment process. 

While overall applications are up, certain programs stand out as there has been an increase in enrollment within those majors. Nursing, criminology, and psychology continue to attract some of the largest applicant pools. 

“I think nursing, criminology, and psychology certainly continue to lead our applicant pool,” said Hall. “We certainly have enrolled more pre-nursing students this fall.” 

For some students, affordability and location were key deciding factors. One new student, Samuel Dounn, who commutes from Waterbury, said the university’s financial support made the choice clear. 

“My fiancée graduated here last semester. She found a grant that would basically cover my first year and potentially more,” he said. “So, I was like, yeah—free school. And it’s a great way to start the career change.” 

He added that CCSU’s proximity and affordability sealed the deal. “Location was a big one. “I live in Waterbury, so it’s only about thirty minutes away from here. So, it was a good, easy drive. And with it being affordable too, like, a nice campus, great classes so far. It was a good reason to come and pick this place.” 

Samuel, who is pursuing a career change, said he is confident the university will help him achieve his goals. “I’m hoping to really just make my way towards this new career change that I’ve begun on, and I think just looking at all the classes they offered and all the areas that you could really look into, it seems like they have the best opportunities for all that,” he said. 

The surge at CCSU comes at a time when many universities nationwide are dealing with enrollment declines due to demographic shifts and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, CCSU’s growth stands out as a hopeful spot, reflecting the school’s efforts to adapt to changing student needs. 

Because CCSU used outreach tactics, balanced affordability, and invested in high-demand academic programs, CCSU has managed to stay away from national trends. The university’s ability to expand its applicant pool by roughly 20 percent highlights the impact of its recruitment and financial aid strategies. 

While university leaders celebrate the increase, they acknowledge the importance of sustaining growth while maintaining quality.  

“My advice is always, come and take a look and visit us,” Hall said. “Fit matters. A place where you belong and feel like you belong, and people care about you. And I think as we attract people to campus, they get to experience that for themselves.” 

As CCSU begins the academic year with a larger, diverse student body, both students and administrators‘ express optimism. For new students like Samuel, the admissions growth is not just a random statistic—it’s an opportunity. 

“It was a good reason to come and pick this place,” he said. “Now I’m just excited to see what comes next.”