SVSU welcomes most new students since 2019 as overall enrollment holds steady

September 30, 2026

SVSU welcomes most new students since 2019 as overall enrollment holds steady

Saginaw Valley State University has enrolled more freshmen, more international students and more new graduate students than a year ago, and overall, the university saw its biggest gain in new students since 2019, as total new student enrollment increased from 1,924 students last year to 1,970 new students for the 2026 fall semester.

SVSU welcomed 1,350 freshmen this fall, compared to 1,336 last year. The university also reported gains in international students with 123 new international students and 319 total international students taking classes, compared to 103 new students and 291 total international students last fall.

In addition, SVSU enrolled 139 new graduate students, compared to 100 new graduate students a year ago.

"We are very proud of our recruiting efforts, but more importantly, we are very pleased at the feedback we receive from students and employers alike: SVSU graduates are well-prepared for their chosen careers," said Ken Fettig, SVSU vice president for enrollment management.

"SVSU has a rich history of field-based learning, coupled with academic coursework, so students have practical experience when they graduate. In an employment market disrupted by artificial intelligence and other factors, knowing how to think critically and how to adapt to changing workplace conditions is vital."

The total number of students enrolled at SVSU this fall is 6,849, down 57 students from a year ago. SVSU saw declines in new transfer students and in returning students.

SVSU's award-winning residence halls - No. 2 among all public universities in the United States - continue to be filled to capacity, as some 2,625 students, including 73% of the freshman class, are living on campus this term.

Fall classes at SVSU began on Monday, Aug. 31.