Xavier freshman enrollment declines, university moves toward 'recruiting sophomores'

CINCINNATI — Fewer freshmen are beginning classes at Xavier University this year as the university changes recruiting models, according to letters from Xavier leadership.

A letter from Scott Clyde, vice president for strategic enrollment management, says Xavier, a private school, is welcoming roughly 800 new first-year and transfer students to campus this year. Xavier's first day of classes was today.

In 2024, the university welcomed 939 full-time freshmen.

The lower attendance numbers are happening as Xavier University shifts recruiting models, a letter from Xavier University President Colleen Hanycz says.

"You will recall that we adopted a new strategic approach to our enrollment at Xavier about one year ago, 'Recruiting Sophomores,'" the letter reads. "This strategy was built around