Last year’s enrollment was 17,662 students. The university’s previous record was 17,761 students in 1991.
The enrollment figure includes undergraduate and graduate students on Wright State’s main campus in Fairborn and its Lake Campus in Celina.
McMillan attributed the enrollment growth in part to Wright State’s tuition of $2,511 per quarter, one of the lowest rates among public, four-year schools in Ohio.
“We’ve been very purposeful in trying to keep tuition down while increasing the quality ,” McMillan said.
Enrollment has spiked at other area public, four-year universities.
Central State University in Wilberforce had the second-largest increase in enrollment growth this fall of any public, four-year institution in Ohio, according to spokeswoman Fran Robinson. Central State increased its total enrollment by 12 percent from fall 2008 to 2,436 students.
The University of Cincinnati, which started classes Wednesday, is projecting a total enrollment of 38,700 students — the largest number of students in 28 years and more than 1,600 over last year’s total enrollment of 37,072. UC’s total includes a record freshman class of 6,000, the highest in school history.
Ohio State University also started Wednesday with one of the largest first-year classes in its history. The projected freshman class of 6,550 students represents an increase of 500 students over fall 2008. Ohio State does not project total enrollment figures, according to university officials.
Miami University in Oxford has a total fall enrollment of 21,478 students, up 313 from fall 2008.
“In this economic climate, many students are seeking a high-quality education that is affordable. Our region is fortunate to be rich with numerous colleges and universities that meet this criterion,” said Sean Creighton, executive director of the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education.
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