Fox Cities News

Preliminary enrollment data for fall 2025 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO) show growth in several student categories, with nearly 12,500 students enrolled across its campuses and online programs.

The university reports a 2% increase in Honors College enrollment following a record year in 2024-25. Transfer student numbers have risen by 4%, new graduate student enrollment is up by 17%, and first-year student retention has increased by 4%. The Oshkosh campus also saw a 2% rise in its first-year class.

“These categories highlight UWO’s ability to attract and support students seeking strong academic communities, pathways to advanced degrees and accessible transfer opportunities,” Chancellor Manohar Singh said. “They are proof that students continue to see UW-Oshkosh as a place where they can launch, continue or elevate their higher education journeys.”

While overall estimates for UWO’s new freshman class project a decline from fall 2024 to fall 2025—due mainly to the end of teaching at UWO Fox Cities in June—the Oshkosh campus specifically saw new first-year student numbers grow by about 2.2%.

Chancellor Singh noted that these figures reflect institutional resilience and ongoing momentum: “Enrollment is more than a single-year snapshot,” Singh said. “We are navigating demographic headwinds and change in higher education with determination, creativity and a focus on student success. Our growth in areas like Honors, transfer, graduate programs and student retention demonstrates that UWO remains a first-choice institution in Wisconsin and beyond.”

Final enrollment figures will be submitted to the Universities of Wisconsin later this fall.

Additional developments at UWO include the upcoming launch of women’s flag football as early as spring 2026, as well as survey results indicating that eight out of ten recent graduates secured jobs in the Fox Valley or elsewhere in Wisconsin before graduation.