UD class of 2021 expected to be largest in school history

The University of Dayton’s Class of 2021 is expected to be the largest in school history.

The University of Dayton’s Class of 2021 is expected to be the largest in school history.

The University of Dayton will welcome its largest class in school history this fall, the college announced today.

UD received more than 2,200 deposits for the class of 2021, a new record and a 24 percent increase over last year.

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The incoming class will also set a record for underrepresented students. About 16 percent of the class identifies as domestic students of color, an increase of 5 percentage points over last year, according to UD.

There is significant growth in enrollment of students from lower income families, UD reports, including a 22 percent increase in Pell grant recipients.

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“We look forward to welcoming these students to campus as we build our national reputation as the University for the common good,” President Eric Spina said in a prepared statement. “A more diverse community improves learning and problem solving, enhances research and innovation, and strengthens organizational culture and teamwork.”

The class of 2021 will be the latest to take advantage of the University’s tuition guarantee, which improved the class of 2017’s graduation rate by 8 percentage points over the previous year and decreased student loan borrowing by $6 million.

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