Reaching New Heights: Lander University Breaks Records with Highest Enrollment in 154 Years
Lander University has reached the highest enrollment in its 154-year history, marking a record-setting start to the Fall 2026 semester.
It is the University’s 11th consecutive year of enrollment growth, with a 78% increase since Fall 2015, as well as the eighth year in a row of record enrollment.
As the second week of classes gets underway with 4,810 students, Lander’s total enrollment is up 5 percent compared to the same point in cycle last year. Those students represent every county in South Carolina, along with 40 U.S. states and 32 international countries across six continents. Student-athletes comprise 12 percent of the student body population, contributing to the academic and campus experience both on and off the field.
Also included in the record-breaking headcount is the University’s largest-ever class of first-time freshmen, with 1,033 members in the Class of 2030.
The story of Lander’s growth is increasingly a story of choice. More students are choosing to come here, choosing to stay and choosing to continue their education at the University.
“Our continued growth is meaningful because it reflects demand, and what we are seeing is that more students are choosing Lander. They believe in the education and experiences we provide,” said President Richard Cosentino. “Students see the quality of our academic programs and faculty, the opportunities available to them, and the sense of community that makes Lander distinctive, and they want to be a part of it.”
Meet the Class of 2030
From across South Carolina and around the world, the Class of 2030 is bringing new faces and perspectives to Bearcat Country.
They are graduates of 303 high schools from around the globe. In-state students account for 90 percent of the class, while Georgia and the Netherlands lead the group’s out-of-state and international representation. Collectively, freshmen from outside of South Carolina have traveled approximately 140,000 miles to join the Lander community in Greenwood.
The new students also bring plenty of academic momentum. With an average weighted GPA of 3.93, Lander’s freshmen have already collectively completed around 7,500 credit hours of college coursework while in high school, equivalent to about 62 college degrees.
On campus, they are pursuing degrees in some of Lander’s most popular areas of study, with the top programs including nursing, business, psychology, exercise science, management, early childhood education, biology, criminology, medical biology and marketing.
If you’re looking for an Emily, Savannah, Hannah or Jacob, chances are good that you’ll find one here: those are the most common first names in the Class of 2030. And, when it comes time to celebrate, Feb. 26 is a date to remember, as it’s the most common birthday among the newest Bearcats.
“We are thrilled to welcome another record class of freshmen to the Lander campus, and we’re excited to see what they will accomplish as Bearcats,” said Dr. Todd Gambill, vice president for Enrollment and Access Management. “Students have choices when deciding where to pursue their college education, and Lander is growing because we deliver on our promise to provide students with an exceptional education while remaining committed to affordability.”
That commitment to affordability – Lander’s Board of Trustees has frozen tuition since 2016 – has continued alongside significant investment in the academic and campus experience. Among those investments are a new nursing education building that opened for classes this semester, and a new library information commons, which is under construction near the University’s Laura Lander Hall. Just last week, Lander announced plans for the acquisition of a nearby 70,000-square-foot former middle school property that will provide additional academic and athletic opportunities, as well as plans for a new, 300-bed residential community near the heart of campus. Additional enhancements, including expanded parking and improvements to pedestrian circulation and wayfinding, are also on the way.
While the projects taking shape across campus represent significant physical growth, their purpose is ultimately centered on ensuring students have the experiences, support and resources they need to be ready for life after Lander.
“There is something special happening at Lander right now,” said President Cosentino. “We have a strong foundation, a growing community and a clear vision for the future. Most importantly, we have students who are excited to be here, and faculty and staff who are committed to helping them succeed.”