Campus Connection

Retention of first-year students hits 10-year high

Enrollment is up at UW-La Crosse on the strength of an improved retention rate and another sizable first-year class. 

UWL’s overall enrollment stood at 10,327 on the 10th day of the fall semester, eclipsing last year’s mark of 10,302. This year’s total is just 2.4% shy of the university’s record enrollment of 10,580, set in fall 2019. 

UWL also exceeded its target of 2,200 first-year students by 4.3%, with a class of 2,294. Last year, UWL welcomed a record-setting first-year class of 2,308.

Retention was a key factor in this year’s gains. UWL retained 86.5% of the 2022-23 first-year class — the highest mark in a decade and the fifth-highest mark in the past 50 years.

“Our Student Success programs are a big reason why we have such a strong retention rate after last year's record-setting class,” says Grace Engen, director of Institutional Research, Assessment & Planning at UWL. “Some people might wonder, with the size of last year’s class: ‘Did they just accept more students? Will they be able to retain them?’ I am glad to share that those students are thriving, and they have returned to UWL at one of the highest rates we’ve ever had.” 

Adds Corey Sjoquist, assistant vice chancellor for Admissions & Recruitment: “Our focus on retention and student success isn’t limited to just one division — it’s multifaceted and campus-wide. We work really hard at retaining students every year, and it continues to be a top-of-mind item for us.”

UWL’s enrollment of summer and fall transfer students also increased, from 351 last year to 358. 

Graduate enrollment dipped slightly, from 928 last year to 921. 

International enrollment is almost identical to last year, and so is the university’s ethnic and racial diversity. Approximately 10.2% of UWL students identify as students of color, defined as Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, Asian and multiracial. 

UWL’s stable enrollment is in stark contrast to national trends in higher education. A shrinking number of high school graduates, paired with lingering effects of COVID-19, has caused enrollment to drop across the country. 

The ability to recruit and retain students has been crucial to UWL’s short-term and long-term success. It also brings significant benefits to La Crosse’s economy, as students support local businesses through spending and employment. 

Sjoquist says the relationship between UWL and the surrounding community is mutually beneficial — a strong university in a vibrant city, together creating an attractive destination for students. 

“It’s the perfect combination of quality academic programs, great faculty and staff, modern facilities, and a beautiful city,” Sjoquist says. “Our Admissions team is out there recruiting at high schools and college fairs. I think people see that warm reception, and they feel that excitement when they visit campus and the city of La Crosse. They want to be a part of the energy at UWL.”