Āé¶¹APP Welcomes Largest First-Year Class in More than a Decade

Āé¶¹APP welcomed 423 new students for Fall 2024 — including 381 first-year students, which is the largest incoming class since 2012. First-year student enrollment is up 27 percent over the last two years. The Fall 2024 incoming class also includes 42 transfer students.

ā€œThere is tremendous excitement about what is happening at Āé¶¹APP,ā€ said Āé¶¹APP President Jay Byers. ā€œOur investments in facilities and programs to enhance the student experience, along with our ever-increasing commitment to maximizing access and affordability is making all the difference. We are proud to lead the way in making a great education affordable for all qualified students, regardless of economic circumstances.ā€

Much of this year’s recruitment success is attributed to Āé¶¹APP’s All-In for Iowa programs featuring full-tuition scholarships for first-time Iowa students. The first program —Āé¶¹APP’s $100K Promise — provides full-tuition for all students with an adjusted gross family income of $100,000 or less. Additionally, Āé¶¹APP’s 99 County Full Tuition program is designed to ensure that at least one student from every Iowa county can attend Āé¶¹APP tuition free.

ā€œĀé¶¹APP’s All-In for Iowa full-tuition scholarships are incredibly attractive and reassuring to families,ā€ said Leigh Mlodzik, vice president for Enrollment Management. ā€œRather than having to worry about FAFSA delays this past year, families could enjoy peace of mind about affordability and focus instead on the distinctive advantages and value Āé¶¹APP provides.ā€

Āé¶¹APP’s Fall 2024 first-year class features 75 percent of students from Iowa — up from 71 percent last year and 68 percent two years ago. The Iowa total includes 39 more students this year and 82 more than two years ago — a 40 percent increase. Fall 2024 first-year enrollment from Iowa includes representation from 74 state counties — compared to 58 counties last year.

In all, 31 states are represented in Āé¶¹APP’s new incoming class. The total includes 28 percent who identify as students of color — a four-percentage point increase over last year.

Total full-time undergraduate enrollment increased to 1,201— a 10 percent gain over 2023-24. First-year to second-year retention is up five percentage points to 81.3 percent, which is also the strongest showing in more than a decade.