Christopher Hoffmann

Staff Writer

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) saw record numbers in terms of overall growth across all 10 of its universities in the Commonwealth, including East Stroudsburg University.

According to PASSHE, Enrollment numbers across the system had a 0.6% increase in enrollment for the fall 2025 semester with 83,000 students enrolling at a PASSHE school.

Among all the schools showing growth, Cheney University saw a 37.9% increase and its highest enrollment numbers in a decade.

Student retention rates reached a systemwide high this semester, with schools like Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Kutztown University achieving record-setting retention numbers, with Kutztown’s rate being the highest it has been in the 21st century.

East Stroudsburg University is part of the PASSHE system, and saw an enrollment growth by 4.4% to make it four consecutive years of enrollment growth for the university. Rates for student retention and community college transfers have also seen a widespread increase across the system, with retention reaching a high of 81% and transfers increasing by 14.3%. The retention number PASSHE saw this semester is higher than the national average that similar institutions have.

ESU saw an 3% increase in retention rates alongside its continued enrollment growth. This systemwide increase is the first for PASSHE in over a decade.

“PASSHE’s faculty and staff are committed to helping students succeed,” said Chancellor Christopher Florentino.

For more information about enrollment growth across all PASSHE universities, visit https://www.passhe.edu/news/releases/2025-10-7_PASSHE-universities-increase-enrollment-setretention-record.html.