
ĢƵwelcomes record enrollment, largest-ever freshman class
More Catamounts are prowling classrooms in person and online than ever before.
ĢƵ’s Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness released its Fall 2026 enrollment statistics, as ĢƵwelcomed its largest freshman class and biggest student population in university history.
According to the report, 2,385 first-time full-time freshmen made Cullowhee home this fall, a 26.8% increase from last year, helping bring total enrollment to 12,308.
“I am absolutely thrilled by this record-breaking freshman class and historic total enrollment. The campus is buzzing with new energy,” said ĢƵChancellor Kelli R. Brown.
“This record enrollment reflects the tremendous confidence that students and families place in the value of a ĢƵeducation, and that speaks volumes about the exceptional education, transformative experiences, and bright future ĢƵoffers. This is a moment to celebrate, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome this outstanding group of students to our community."
This fall’s freshman class saw an increase in honors students (2.37%), and ĢƵwelcomed more new transfers (4.85%) and new graduate students (2.94%). Also, the freshman class’ average weighted high school GPA was 3.82, a slight increase from last fall.
“ĢƵ’s record enrollment of 12,308 students, including the largest incoming freshman class in our history, reflects the growing demand for a ĢƵeducation, said William Moultrie, vice chancellor for the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Success. “Welcoming 2,385 new freshmen while increasing total enrollment by nearly 4% is an exciting milestone for our university.
“This continued growth is especially noteworthy in today’s highly competitive enrollment environment and reflects the strength of our academic offerings, the quality of the student experience and sustained recruitment and retention efforts across the university. More importantly, this growth gives us the opportunity to help even more students connect, succeed and ultimately, earn a college degree.”
The application for fall 2027 opened on Aug. 1, and ĢƵwelcomes all prospective students to visit campus this fall. The university’s first open house of the academic year is Saturday, Oct. 31.
For more information about open house or to schedule a tour, go to visit.wcu.edu.