Concordia University Wisconsin class of 2029. At a time when universities nationwide are bracing for enrollment declines, Concordia University Wisconsin is celebrating growth in its freshman enrollment.
This fall, CUW experienced an 8% increase in new freshmen compared to last year, a notable achievement amid national concerns about the looming “demographic cliff.”
The demographic cliff refers to the sharp decline in the number of college-aged students—typically starting around 2025–26—due to the drop in birth rates after the 2008 recession. Concordia’s results show that the university’s mission-driven approach and strong recruitment partnerships are making a difference.
Leah Toerpe, ’01, the university’s director of Traditional Undergraduate Admission, said she believes there are a number of factors responsible for the enrollment growth. “It’s a campus-wide effort,” she explained. “We drive prospective students to visit campus so they can experience CUW personally. And when they are here, students notice the mission in action, while the Admission team drives the front-of-stage role for recruitment and admission.”
She added: “We are supported across the campus. Academic faculty, for example, take time from their busy schedules to meet a visiting student and share the highlights regarding their programs, and invite students to shadow classes.”
Broader trend
Concordia’s enrollment success reflects a broader trend across campus. Many programs have adapted their recruitment efforts, hosting hundreds of in-person and virtual events to connect with prospective students from a greater distance.
For example, the School of Pharmacy hosted “more than 100 events annually, several of which we have transitioned to virtual formats,” said Katelyn Wilson, assistant director of Admissions Operations in the School of Pharmacy. “This allows us to connect with students from a greater distance and broaden access to our office and school.”
For many students, they choose Concordia as their school because of the university’s Christian values and mission to develop students in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ and the world.
“For some, it is the top reason they choose us,” Toerpe said. “For others, something else brought them here. But as we live out our mission daily, those who came for other reasons notice the impact it has on their lives while they are here. And our students learn that CUW is a campus for everyone.”
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Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.