BGSU Firelands sees continued enrollment growth for Fall 2024, with new student headcount up 36% over the past two years

HURON, Ohio – For the sixth consecutive semester, Bowling Green State University Firelands is seeing continued enrollment growth for Fall 2024, with new student headcount up 36% over the past two years, setting records on the Huron campus.

This fall, BGSU Firelands is welcoming a record 770 new first-year and transfer students to its learning community, with overall enrollment at more than 2,100 students, up nearly 9% compared to Fall 2023 and up almost 14% compared to Fall 2022 at the BGSU regional campus.

"We are proud to serve our students and community with a wealth of resources and opportunities that come with being part of a major public university," BGSU Firelands Dean Dr. Allia Carter said. "The tremendous growth we are experiencing benefits the entire region, driving innovation, economic development and opportunities for all."  

BGSU Firelands is committed to offering in-demand degrees that support student success and meet current and future employer needs in the region and beyond. Sought-after programs driving enrollment for fall include computer networking and cybersecurity, respiratory care and digital content creation. Transfer-friendly degrees, including small business enterprise, also are supporting adult learners seeking to pivot their careers.  

The continued momentum at BGSU Firelands underscores its role as a driver of economic vitality and personal development. The Huron campus continues to attract students from diverse backgrounds, including high school participants in the College Credit Plus program and adults seeking career changes. BGSU Firelands students benefit from a holistic approach to education, combining career-focused programs with the extensive experiential learning opportunities and resources of a large public university.  

"I chose BGSU Firelands because the university experience is so important to me," said Carmin Pentito, a new first-year student from Amherst, Ohio.

Pentito said the ability to remain close to home while earning a comprehensive degree made enrolling at the Huron campus the right choice for her. Her decision reflects a growing trend among students in northeast Ohio who are choosing BGSU Firelands for their education, with new enrollment from learners in Lorain County more than doubling in the past two years.  

Affordability remains at the heart of the BGSU Firelands mission to keep education accessible. Pentito is among the second incoming class benefitting from The Firelands Grant, a need-based scholarship program that can offer a tuition-free path to a BGSU education.

"We keep our promise to our region as its University to keep education within reach," said Rob Drapcho, director of enrollment management at BGSU Firelands. "Scholarship programs like The Firelands Grant provide a path for students with financial need to pursue and earn a quality BGSU education."

For more information and to register for spring semester, visit BGSU.edu/Firelands.