YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -    While colleges across the country are losing students, Youngstown State University said it's seeing growth.

Enrollment is up for the Fall 2025 semester and administrators are calling it a sign of strength.

The university reports that total head count is up more than 2% compared to Fall 2024.

The increase follows a big increase from last year when Eastern Gateway Community College students transferred in after the community college closed.

This year's growth includes more first-time undergraduates, including nearly 7% more new graduate students and more than 1,200 international students on campus.

University officials said affordability and focus on the right programs has been a big factor.

"A lot of the different offices have worked to reduce barriers to students applying," Mike Sherman, YSU's Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Board Professional, said. "We're helping them fill out the FAFSA form, adjusting how we interact with them and offer them financial aid. A lot of individuals are coming together to reduce barriers, and make it more effective and more efficient."

University leaders said the numbers prove YSU is bucking the national trend and building momentum for the future.