CIC would like to highlight a sampling of member institutions that shared with us that they had record numbers in their graduating classes or program outcomes. There are successes to celebrate in our sector, and we are pleased to pass on some great examples that were sent to us.
If you have important or exciting news to share about your institution, please email Allison Barkley, CIC communication operations specialist, at abarkley@cic.edu to be considered for an upcoming newsletter article.
Oral Roberts University Celebrates Largest Graduating Class; Welcomes Largest Freshman Class in History
Oral Roberts University (OK) celebrated the largest graduating class in the university’s history in May 2025. With 1,065 graduates, the 2025 class represented 42 US states and 62 different nations. Oral Roberts University’s student body has increased every year for the last 16 years. For the academic year (2024–25), Oral Roberts enrolled 7,069 unduplicated students, setting a new record for the university.
Oral Roberts also welcomed the largest freshman class in history. The Fall 2025 class marks not only the most first-year students ever but also the biggest Move-In Day on campus. Over the last six years, Oral Roberts has broadened its global impact, drawing students from all 50 states and 173 nations. Read more on the Oral Roberts website.
Career Rate for Trine Grads Tops 99% Once Again
Trine University (IN)’s Class of 2024 saw 99.1 percent of its members obtain their desired career outcome within six months of graduation, continuing a 12-year streak of employment and graduate school placement averaging greater than 99 percent. Trine’s Class of 2024 saw more than 63 percent of its graduates employed in Indiana, with more than 90 percent staying in the Midwest. In addition to the overall figures, Trine’s Franks School of Education reported that 100 percent of its graduates seeking teaching positions have now been employed for 13 straight years.
Trine’s employment rate for its graduates remains nearly 15 percent higher than the most recent national figures. National figures for the Class of 2023, the most recent year available, showed 84.7 percent of college graduates employed with six months of completing their degree. Read more on the Trine website.
99% of Augustana Graduates Report Achieving Positive Career Outcome
A newly published report by Augustana University (SD) shows that 99 percent of 2024 graduates who completed degrees in August, December, and May of academic year 2023–24 achieved a positive career outcome. South Dakota retained 61 percent of Augustana’s full-time graduates, including 55 percent working in the Sioux Falls area. Many of these graduates chose to continue their education, with 26 percent enrolled in graduate school or professional programs.
To help accomplish these outcomes, Augustana’s Student Success Center provides ongoing and tailored vocational engagement—offering individual support, alumni mentoring, career fairs, and unique events alongside community organizations and business partners. Read more on the Augustana website.
Record Amount of Summer Research Funding Awarded at Bridgewater College
More than $100,000 in funding was awarded for Bridgewater College (VA) students to conduct full-time research under the mentorship of faculty members this summer. This year’s funding level is the highest yet for the college’s growing summer initiative and is supporting the largest number of students in program history. Funding was provided by the Dr. John W. Martin Summer Science Research Institute and by The Research Experience @ Bridgewater. The 26 recipients of these awards receive free on-campus housing for the duration of their research along with a stipend, enabling them to devote their summers to research and exploration on a wide variety of projects.
Having this many students engaged in research demonstrates the college’s commitment to mentoring, experiential learning and developing student-scholars prepared to think critically and contribute to knowledge beyond the classroom. Many of the students will present the results of their research at academic conferences or at Bridgewater’s ASPIRE: A Celebration of the Arts, Scholarship, Performance, Innovation and Research Excellence in Spring 2026. Read more on the Bridgewater website.
Hiram College Welcomes Largest Incoming Class in More than a Decade
Hiram College (OH) officially welcomed its largest class in over ten years, enrolling 296 students to campus as the Class of 2029. Committed to experiential learning and a mission to make higher education both accessible and affordable, Hiram has continued to implement new programs. This is reflected in the 251 first-year students and 45 transfer students that chose to become Hiram College Terriers.
The incoming class includes almost 50 percent of out-of-state students from states like Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, California, New York, North Carolina, and Indiana, with 13 athletes hailing from Canada. While some students begin their academic studies with an undecided major, many will begin hands-on experiences and research opportunities in the sport management, integrative exercise science, accounting and financial management, and nursing majors. Read more on the Hiram website.
Midway University Achieves Tenth Consecutive Year of Enrollment Growth
A record 2,025 students have enrolled at Midway University (KY) for the Fall 2025 census, solidifying the school’s tenth consecutive year of enrollment growth. This continued momentum underscores the university’s success in expanding academic offerings, providing flexible learning options, and investing in campus improvements. With ten years of steady enrollment growth, Midway University continues to strengthen its role as one of Kentucky’s most affordable and forward-looking private universities.
Midway welcomed an incoming class of 318 new traditional undergraduate students. Significant growth was seen this year in the online/evening undergraduate programs, specifically growth in the new hybrid Associate of Nursing degree program.
Incoming Class Highlights
- 318 new traditional undergraduate students
- Students representing 25 states and 8 countries
- 67.6 percent from Kentucky, 27.7 percent out-of-state, 4.7 percent international
- 50 percent female, 50 percent male
Record Number of New Students Leads to Highest Student Enrollment in North Central College History
At a time when many colleges across the nation are grappling with declining enrollments, North Central College (IL) welcomed its largest-ever incoming class this fall. The influx of new students has pushed total enrollment to an all-time high in the college’s 164-year history. North Central’s previous undergraduate enrollment record was set in 2017 with 893 new students, but enrollment temporarily dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The college has since set new total enrollment records for two consecutive years.
A record 921 new undergraduate students enrolled for the college’s Fall 2025 semester, including 657 first-year students (a 36 percent increase over last year) and 264 transfer students. Combined with graduate student enrollment, the incoming class contributed to a record total of 3,179 students (2,632 undergraduate and 547 graduate) for the start of the 2025–26 academic year, surpassing the previous record total of 3,003 set last year.
The incoming class comprises students from 31 US states and 36 countries. The majority of new first-year undergraduate students (45 percent) are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, 22 percent are enrolled in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, 20 percent in the School of Education and Health Sciences, and 13 percent are undecided.
Wilson College Achieves Historic Enrollment Growth for Fall Semester
Wilson College (PA) has reached its highest-ever point-in-time enrollment for the start of a fall semester with 1,877 students enrolled across all programs. This reflects a 10 percent increase over Fall 2024 enrollment and a growth of 38 percent over the last three years since the college’s lowest post-pandemic enrollment, marking a historic milestone in Wilson’s history.
This remarkable achievement represents growth in first-time college students, Wilson College Online, dual enrollment high school students, and continued success in the Teacher Certification Program. These gains reflect Wilson’s commitment to access, affordability, and retention, even as colleges and universities nationwide face enrollment challenges.