OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – Ahead of the 2025-2026 academic year, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh officials said that enrollment is trending in the right direction.
“After years of declining enrollment, this is the first year we can see a 13 percent increase in our graduate students class, a percentage plus increase in our undergraduate class (incoming freshmen), and a 5 percent increase in our transfer class (doesn’t include students who came over when UWO-Fox Cities closed),” said new chancellor Dr. Manohar Singh.
The university has experienced mostly declining enrollment over the last 15 years. They’ve recently had to make very difficult decisions to close major budget gaps, which included workforce reductions and academic program realignments. UWO-affiliated campuses, including UWO Fox Cities, have also recently closed.
Singh said they’ve closed the budget gap for this academic year and likely next year as well, creating some stability for the university. He thinks this stability is making the university more attractive to students.
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On move-in day on Monday, Singh said he felt a great energy in the air ahead of the start of the school year.
“Once you have made the sacrifices, once you have started innovating programs, then the enrollment is going to go up, ” Singh told Local 5 News. “I see a lot of pride in being here at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, colleagues among the faculty and the staff welcoming the new students.”
Local 5 News caught up with several students excited to begin the new semester on Wednesday.
“(I’m excited about) making new friends, meeting new people you get to explore past your friends back home,” said freshman Landon Potratz. “You get to meet a lot of new people.”
“Excitement to be back on campus because I do really love the campus atmosphere, nervous for classes to start for sure,” said senior Rylee Maulson.
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“First and foremost believe in yourself, believe in the value and power of education,” chancellor Singh said when asked his advice to all the students. “Never give up, pursuits worth pursuing are tough and we’re Titan tough.”
