The University of Minnesota Crookston is tracking toward its highest enrollment year in history following the start of the Fall 2025 semester. The Crookston campus’ growth has followed a multi-year upward trend with steady increases in degree-seeking students.
UMN Crookston’s enrollment over the past 25 years peaked at just under 1,880 students during the 2014-2015 school year and is projected to surpass that number in 2025 with the official census set to be announced by the Board of Regents in early October. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Rosemary Johnsen, Ph.D. attributes campus growth to those working in recruitment and those who work directly with students.
“Our admissions office is doing a great job recruiting students who will thrive at our campus, and our faculty work directly with students in the classroom, on research projects, and with career-readiness experiences,” said Johnsen. “Combine that with robust support services for student learning, and you see the kind of continuing growth the Crookston campus has been enjoying the past several years.”
Director of Student Success and Academic Advising Jacob Isaacs, Ph.D. shared his excitement about the campus’ enrollment growth and feels individual attention played a part in attracting new students and retaining current students.
“We’re excited about this growth in our enrollment because it is showing that students are increasingly finding their path to success here at Crookston,” Isaacs stated. “It not only shows that new students are drawn to what Crookston has to offer. It also shows that more of our current students see that continuing their education with U of M Crookston is worth the investment through our individual attention and hands-on career preparation.”
In the latest rankings by Niche, UMN Crookston recently earned #3 Best Online Colleges in America as well as continued its #1 streak in the state with #1 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota, #1 Best College Dorms in Minnesota, and #1 Best Colleges for Business in Minnesota. Niche and Smart Asset have also named the Crookston campus as the #1 Best Value College in Minnesota and North Dakota in recent rankings.
“Students are paying attention to the things that set us apart such as our #1 rankings, as well as some new programs we’ve launched like accelerated accounting and sport media and communication,” mentioned Strategic Marketing and Communications Director Lynsey Huseth, MBA. “What really draws students here is the value they receive from the hands-on learning experiences and the personal connections that only a small campus like ours can offer.”
UMN Crookston offers over 75 majors, minors, and certificates, and has been a proven leader in online delivery for nearly 30 years, all backed by a world-class University of Minnesota degree. Interested in learning more? Visit umcrookston.edu.