Lee University officials recently tabulated the university’s fall 2024 enrollment profile, which features moderate growth overall, led by significant gains in several key areas. 

“This is the time of year when many people in higher education hold their collective breath,” said Lee President Paul Conn. “This year’s enrollment picture is invigorating for us, as we feel it confirms that more and more people are recognizing Lee as an outstanding choice for their sons and daughters, and for themselves.” 

The total enrollment rose by 34 students to 3,714, with the new student number showing the most notable gain of 10%. A 7% increase in beginning freshmen and an 11% increase in new graduate students helped to drive the surge in total new students. 

“This is the first time since Fall 2020 that we’ve seen an increase in total enrollment,” said Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Dr. Jayson VanHook. “A lot of factors played into that total, but it’s exciting to see so much work by so many people coming to fruition.” 

Other categories seeing gains were dual enrollment students and Encore students (a program for learners age 60 and above), representing both ends of the age spectrum in Lee’s student body.  New programming for nearby high school students led to the dual enrollment increase, while the rise in Encore reflected an addition to its list of available courses. 

“The Encore program has remained popular for many years,” said VanHook. “We have seen each class fill to capacity every semester, so we added some new classes this fall. So the demand was there, we just needed to create coursework to meet it.” 

In addition to the uptick in headcount, the profile of Lee’s student body broke some new ground as well, particularly in retention and diversity. 

This year marks a record in the freshman to sophomore retention percentage. At 82% this year, it is the highest in Lee’s history. 

Diversity has also made a step forward, featuring the most diverse racial representation this century and possibly ever. In addition, there was a solid increase in international student enrollment, with 50 nations represented in this year’s student population. 

“It’s no secret that times have been difficult for Lee and many other institutions like ours, recently,” Conn said. “This fall’s student enrollment bolsters our confidence that Lee is addressing those obstacles admirably. We continue to work hard to provide exceptional value to these students and to expect great things for them and for the future of Lee University.”