Nearly 12,500 Titans! UWO launches year with record Honors College numbers, new grad student and retention surges driving enrollment

Preliminary fall 2025 enrollment figures at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh reflect strength and growth across several student populations as the university welcomes nearly 12,500 Titans on campus, throughout Wisconsin and beyond.

The UWO data, captured as the Universities of Wisconsin prepares to report estimates for the forthcoming official fall student census, show year-over-year increases in:

• Honors College enrollment - up 2% after a record year of growth in 2024-25.
• Transfer student enrollment - up 4%
• New graduate student enrollment - up 17%
• First-year student retention - up 4%
• The first-year class on the Oshkosh campus - up 2%

"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."

Universities of Wisconsin estimates for UWO's new freshman class, released Sept. 9, project a decline from fall 2024 to fall 2025 due to the discontinuation of teaching and learning at UWO Fox Cities in June. New first-year student estimates specifically for the Oshkosh-campus, year-over-year, indicate a 2.2-percent increase.

The deeper dive into UWO enrollment reveals resilience and encouraging momentum in student populations that align with institutional strengths and growth strategies, Chancellor Singh said.

"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."

UWO will provide final enrollment reports to the Universities of Wisconsin later this fall.

Learn more:

• Touchdown! UW-Oshkosh launches women's flag football with kickoff as soon as spring 2026
• IN PHOTO: UWO Titan Welcome weekend brought the campus community together
• Survey: UWO career center helped 8 of 10 recent grads land Fox Valley, Wisconsin careers before graduation