Temple University reports first overall enrollment increase since 2017; board approves average tuition increase of 3.6%.

Temple University has announced that it anticipates its first overall enrollment increase since 2017, primarily driven by a significant rise in its incoming freshman class. This shift suggests a potentially positive trend for the partially public institution located in North Philadelphia, which has experienced a decline of nearly 10,000 students from a peak enrollment of over 40,000 in 2017.

While the projected increase for this academic year is relatively modest—estimated at a few hundred students—it marks a noteworthy development amid ongoing challenges in the higher education sector, including funding cuts and changing demographic landscapes. As of July 1, deposits from first-year students reached an unprecedented high, showing a 10% increase compared to the previous year, according to university officials.

The future trajectory of enrollment trends among local universities remains uncertain. Leaders from nearby institutions have reported varying signs of optimism, with La Salle University indicating that their fall 2025 enrollment numbers are exceeding expectations. Additionally, Gwynedd Mercy University is actively exploring expanded housing options due to an anticipated enrollment surge.

At Temple, the board of trustees recently approved a budget for the 2025-26 academic year, which includes an average tuition increase of 3.6% for both in-state and out-of-state students, a reduction from the previous year’s 4.2% hike. Temple has been grappling with a projected million structural deficit for 2024-25 and anticipates a more severe deficit of million for 2026.

In response, the university has laid out plans to cut approximately million from its budget, primarily through retirements and voluntary resignations, though some layoffs will occur. However, officials have noted that the projected deficit has been significantly reduced, though it is not fully resolved.

Enrollment figures have exhibited significant fluctuations over the past few years, culminating in just over 30,000 students last year. For the current academic year, Temple expects to welcome about 30,200 students, including 6,450 first-year students and transfers—an increase of 722 from the previous year.

Looking ahead, the institution is optimistic about sustaining this upward trajectory, with smaller graduating classes expected in the coming years likely to contribute to further growth. Tuition rates will vary across different schools within Temple, but the overall adjustment represents a strategic effort to balance financial sustainability while enhancing student enrollment.

To further support this initiative, Temple plans to expand its undergraduate financial aid budget by 24%, reaching 3.8 million, marking the second consecutive year of substantial funding increases aimed at attracting new students. As the state government continues to negotiate budget allocations, the university is bracing for another year of flat funding, with current state support holding at approximately 8.2 million per year. Challenges posed by anticipated cuts to federal funding also loom, complicating the financial landscape for higher education institutions.

This year represents a turning point for Temple University, as it strives to rebuild its enrollment numbers while navigating financial constraints and competitive pressures within the educational sector. Media News Source.