Rose-Hulman’s growing national reputation has attracted another outstanding first-year class, with more than 620 new students bringing strong academic credentials from an expanding global geographic landscape. This marks the third time in the past four years that the college has welcomed a class of more than 600 to campus in the fall and only the fourth time in its 150-year history.

Classes for the 2024-25 school year are scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 5.

“Rose-Hulman’s highly rated academic programs, growth opportunities for students on and off campus, and its continued focus on student success after graduation with consistently high placement rates have all contributed to Rose-Hulman’s enrollment growth,” said President Robert A. Coons.

“Our commitment to academic excellence, personalized attention from our world-class faculty and staff, and the development of well-rounded, innovative thinkers continues to resonate with students nationally and globally,” Coons added. “We once again received a record number of applications and continue to have historic levels of interest for campus visits and summer programs for high school students."

The incoming first-year class brings a record of academic excellence. Key attributes of the class are:

• Median high school GPA of 4.04
• Students come from 44 states and 20 countries – a record.
• 26% are racially diverse
• 25% of this class are women
• 24% are either first-generation attendees and/or Pell Grant recipients
• 11% are international students
• 45 students reported a perfect SAT/ACT math entrance test score

Coons highlighted gains in enrolling first-year students from a record 44 states and 20 countries, including significant growth in Texas, India, and South Korea. Twenty-six percent of the incoming class hail from Indiana. Twelve states outside of Indiana have sent at least 10 first-year student students, including 41 from Texas, 28 from California, and 14 from Virginia.

“Our continued enrollment growth is remarkable in these challenging times in higher education, with the federal government’s FAFSA financial aid processing delays, fewer high school graduates, and increasing questions about the value of a college degree. In the face of all this, more students and families are seeking the qualities we offer at Rose-Hulman. Our brand and our student outcomes stand out,” said Vice President of Enrollment Management Tom Bear.

Rose-Hulman was ranked No. 17 overall in the nation in the Wall Street Journal’s 2024 Best Colleges in America guide, earning No. 1 rankings in both learning opportunities and learning facilities, with students specifically citing interactions with faculty, collaboration with other students, available campus workspaces, and satisfaction with physical classroom/teaching spaces. Rose-Hulman ranked second in the nation in the likelihood of students recommending the college to others, and fourth in career preparation.

The college also earned the No. 1 ranking in undergraduate engineering for the 25^th consecutive year in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best College Guide, remains on Princeton Review’s most recent Best Colleges list, and has earned numerous rankings for value, return on investment, career outcomes, internships, faculty, facilities, and support services.