CSCU Welcomes Nearly 11,500 First-Year Students Across its Four Regional Universities and CT State Community College

Nearly 11,500 students are beginning their college careers at Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) institutions this fall, as first-year enrollment continues to grow across the system's four regional universities and Connecticut State Community College (CT State).

Preliminary enrollment figures show 4,768 first-year students enrolled at CSCU's four state universities, an increase of 145 students compared with Fall 2025. Central Connecticut State University has 1,520 first-year students; Eastern Connecticut State University has 1,146; Southern Connecticut State University has 1,231; and Western Connecticut State University has 871.

CT State Community College, the state's largest higher education provider for first-year students, is welcoming 6,717 new first-year students this fall, bringing the total number of incoming first-year students across the five institutions to 11,485.

"We are excited to see more students choosing CSCU's colleges and universities and beginning the next chapter of their education on our campuses," said CSCU Interim Chancellor Natalie Braswell. "The growth in first-year enrollment and continued demand for on-campus housing underscore the value our colleges and universities provide through an affordable, high-quality education and a vibrant campus experience that prepares students for what comes next."

Demand for on-campus housing remains high across CSCU's four state universities, with more than 3,000 first-year students living on campus this fall.

Central Connecticut State University has 931 first-year students living on campus; Eastern Connecticut State University has 1,044; Southern Connecticut State University has 604; and Western Connecticut State University has 470.

Enrollment is also growing in several high-demand fields. From 2019-20 to 2025-26, enrollment has increased from 2,452 to 3,275 students in business, management, and marketing; from 2,155 to 2,424 in healthcare and clinical sciences; and from 488 to 589 in computer and information sciences.

Current first-year enrollment numbers for the four universities and CT State are preliminary and will be finalized along with total student enrollment in late September. Charter Oak State College, the system's public online college, will release its enrollment figures in late October.

The growth in enrollment follows an estimated 12,600 students graduating from CSCU's colleges and universities during the 2025-26 academic year, further demonstrating the system's role in preparing Connecticut students for the workforce and contributing to the state's economy.

About CSCU

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system includes six public institutions: Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western Connecticut State Universities, CT State Community College, and Charter Oak State College. Together, they offer more than 800 degree and certificate programs that provide affordable academic pathways for students of all ages.

With 16 main campuses and over 17 million square feet of facilities statewide, CSCU serves more than 100,000 learners in Connecticut. During the 2025-2026 academic year, an estimated 12,600 students graduated from the system. More than 80% of graduates from the state universities, CT State, and Charter Oak choose to remain in Connecticut to live and work, underscoring CSCU's role as a driver of the state's workforce and economy.