Morgan State University has announced a significant increase in enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester, reaching a record total of 10,739 students. Morgan State is now the third-largest HBCU behind North Carolina A&T and Howard University.
This spike marks the fourth consecutive year of growth and represents a 9.4% increase from the previous year. There were 2,369 new first-year students, a nearly 4% rise compared to the freshman class of 2023. Additionally, Morgan State achieved its highest graduate school enrollment ever, with 1,712 students pursuing advanced degrees.
The university received a staggering 24,414 applications for Fall 2024, with 96% coming from first-time freshman applicants. The new freshman class includes students from 41 states and seven countries, boasting an average high school GPA of 3.16. Notably, 51% of the new undergraduate students come from outside Maryland, while 53% of Morgan’s overall student body are state residents.
“Morgan’s record-breaking enrollment for Fall 2024 is a testament to the growing recognition of the transformative education and opportunities we offer,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “The enthusiasm reflected in the 24,000-plus applications we received underscores our mission’s impact and our brand’s strength. As we continue to break barriers and set new benchmarks, Morgan remains committed to empowering students to achieve academic excellence and make meaningful contributions to society.”
The Reason Behind the Enrollment Surge
When asked about their reasons for choosing Morgan, nearly half of the first-year respondents cite wanting to attend an HBCU, with Morgan as their top choice. U.S. News & World Report ranked Morgan among the top 10 HBCUs in its “Best Colleges” list for the first time in over a decade. Factors influencing students’ decisions included financial aid, campus facilities, and academic programs.
Morgan State offers more than 150 academic programs leading to various degrees. Since 2020, the university has introduced over 30 new high-demand programs that address workforce needs. Popular majors among this year’s freshmen include Nursing, Psychology, Management, Business Administration, Biology, and Computer Science.
Graduate enrollment also saw notable growth, with the School of Graduate Studies reporting a 14% increase. By increasing its number of doctoral graduates, the university aims to elevate its status to R1, a designation for very high doctoral research universities.
As Morgan State continues to expand its student population, it maintains a strong focus on retention. It achieved a rate of over 70% for the 14th consecutive year and has consistently exceeded a graduation rate of 40% for the past six years.