MANSFIELD — Ohio State University Mansfield has continued its upward momentum this year, marking a fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth.
This autumn, 470 new freshmen started their degree at the Mansfield campus. That represents 16-percent growth over last year in first-year students, and more than 40-percent growth in freshmen over the past two years.
While these students come from all over OSU Mansfield’s 21-county area in north central and northeastern Ohio, this year’s class draws strongly from Richland County and from nearby communities in Crawford and Ashland.
Overall, 50 percent of the new students’ hail from these counties. Large numbers also come from Canton, Akron, and the greater Cleveland area.
“This year’s class is large and highly motivated to come to our campus,” said Dean and Director Jason Opal. “Over 60 percent are first-choice students who applied specifically to Mansfield, not to Columbus.”
Opal attributes this growth in part to the Regional Campus Commitment, under which eligible students from lower- and middle-income families no longer pay tuition. The Regional Campus Commitment, providing free tuition to students from households with under $100,000 adjusted gross income, complements the university’s Buckeye Opportunity Grants.
The latter covers any tuition or fees costs not covered by students awarded a Pell grant.
Together, these programs ensure that students will no longer pay tuition for their Ohio State University education, so long as they start at Mansfield and complete in four years.
In terms of academic interests and career plans, this new class shows special interest in Biology, Business, and Engineering Technology, all of which they can complete as four-year degrees in Mansfield.
But fields like Psychology and English also saw growth, while Education and Social Work remain core majors.
“We don’t have any easy majors,” said Opal. “We deliver Ohio State in a small college setting, period. But we also pride ourselves on being open, supportive, and welcoming, and we do a lot to make sure our quiet wooded campus is lively and dynamic.”
Situated on 644 forested acres, Ohio State Mansfield offers students a distinctive learning environment that includes a maple syrup production facility, a pollinator habitat, and miles of wooded trails.
Through programs such as the Regional Campus Commitment, many students can earn an Ohio State degree tuition-free while benefiting from the close-knit environment of a small campus.
“We expect to keep growing,” Opal said.