McNeese’s freshmen class is one of the largest in the last 15-20 years, with growth of about 5% over last fall, McNeese officials said Friday.
Preliminary numbers as of Friday for the fall 2025 semester show the highest percentage increase in first-time freshmen in about 10-15 years and the highest overall enrollment growth in 10 years.
Sarah Leonards, executive director of the Office of Enrollment Management at McNeese, said data indicates a year-over-year increase of approximately 5% from fall 2024 to fall 2025. The number of first-time freshmen has grown from 1,166 in fall 2024 to a projected 1,322 for fall 2025.
Leonards said she attributes this growth to the campus culture.
“I feel that the attraction for people wanting to apply is we’re a smaller institution,” she said. “Our class sizes are smaller… we’re more personable. Here we’re just more closely connected.”
She highlighted the First-Year Experience program, which includes mentorship to help new students navigate their transition to college life. The emphasis on advising also contributes to that sense of connection, she said.
“We stay in touch throughout the semester with our first-time freshmen,” Leonards said. “We do outreaches via text and emails to check up on them and share resources like time management skills and connect them with campus services like the Writing Center.”
Leonards said she also believes affordability is a major factor in enrollment decisions.
McNeese has the lowest cost of attendance in the University of Louisiana System, and a majority of students receive financial aid and scholarships.
McNeese’s focus over the last few years has been on enrollment, and Leonard said the executive leadership team focuses on three key pillars for McNeese’s future: recruitment, retention, and job placement. That focus means working toward helping students succeed, a part of what McNeese president Dr. Wade Rousse calls “Riding for the Brand.”
“We are a small, fast-growing university with a lot to offer,” Leonards said. “It’s a great time to be a part of McNeese.”
The final enrollment numbers for the Fall 2025 semester are expected to be made official next week.
