Share the news – the needle keeps moving up on Adams State University undergraduate enrollment. The institution continues to see an upward swing this fall, building on the successes of the last two years. The University’s undergraduate enrollment is up nearly five percent from 2024. Adams State also saw graduate enrollment growth of 10 percent in the Cultural Resource Management program and 24.3 percent in the Masters of Business Administration.
“After years of declining undergraduate enrollment, Adams State celebrates consecutive years of accelerating growth,” President David Tandberg, Ph.D., said. “Bending a curve is often the hardest work and it is an accomplishment the entire campus helped achieve. I am very proud of the dedication and hard work of faculty and staff.”
With 1,721 undergraduate students now attending Adams State, enrollment is up 4.7 percent from 2024, including an increase in enrolled credit hours of 1.75 percent. The fall-to-fall retention rate also increased by 4.5 percent, a tribute to a campus-wide commitment to students.
The good news continues: Adams State’s increase includes almost 10 percent growth in San Luis Valley students. Vince Alcon, director of Student Life, the admissions team, and President Tandberg together visited schools across the San Luis Valley last year giving presentations to students on the benefits of attending college and their hometown university.
Adams State also implemented a Direct Admissions Program that guarantees automatic acceptance once an SLV student graduates from high school or earns a GED. “We want our Valley community, and beyond, to know they are college material,” President Tandberg said. “With supportive programs, staff, and faculty, students can obtain a degree and realize their professional and personal goals.”
Adams State is fulfilling its mission to support first-generation and low-income students, with 55.5 percent of students eligible for federal Pell grants and 48 percent the first in their family to attend college.
Adams State works to make college a reality for all students by offering the Adams Promise, which guarantees no tuition and fees for qualifying students, and Financial Aid Fridays, in-person and online.
Adams State is the most affordable residential university in Colorado. Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management Mark Buck said: “Understanding the entire financial process and how to approach funding one’s education can be confusing for students and parents. Simplifying and assisting students in navigating through the financial aid process will continue to be a priority for us here at Adams State.”