ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University’s student enrollment has continued to climb over the past five years and has now crossed a significant milestone as final fall enrollment numbers report that 5,500 undergraduate and graduate students attend the institution. This is the first time since 2020 that Winthrop has reached this total enrollment.
The fall enrollment total is an increase of 212 students, or 4 percent, from fall 2025.
President Edward Serna ’02 points to several reasons why high school students, transfers and non-traditional students have turned to Winthrop since the pandemic. There are innovative new academic degrees, competitive merit-based scholarship programs, and a focus on student research and experiences through programs such as the newly elevated Honors College.
With families concerned about the rising costs of higher education, Winthrop has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing a high-quality education that is both accessible and affordable through its Tuition Transparency Initiative, as well as offering more dual enrollment opportunities and additional scholarship money. “It clearly resonates with students and their families that we have been proactive in ensuring our tuition and fees reflect our commitment to both academic quality and affordability,” Serna said. “Reaching this enrollment milestone further emphasizes that what we’re doing here is responsive to our students and their families, and it reinforces that Winthrop’s future is bright.”
He pointed to other enrollment highlights, including:
*Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,485 students, an increase of 196 students (+4.6 percent).
*Graduate Enrollment: 1,015 students, an increase of 17 students (+1.7 percent).
*Three-Year Enrollment Growth: Since fall 2023, total enrollment has increased by
806 students (+17.2 percent).
*Five-Year Enrollment Growth: Since fall 2021, total enrollment has increased by 326
students (+6.3 percent).
*Credit Hour Production: 66,366 credit hours, an increase of 1,721 (+2.7 percent)
over fall 2025 and over 9,000 more credit hours than fall 2023.
Amanda James, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said the university’s
new branding initiative speaks to the fact that Winthrop wants students to be the
best version of themselves as the university encourages them to “Bring the You.”
She also expects the new Winthrop Scholars Guarantee (link to news release) will continue to help the university attract top students. The scholarship offers at least $5,000 to first-year students in the top 15 percent of their graduating class for the fall 2027 semester. There is no income restriction for the scholarship.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
