Shenandoah University Welcomes Newest Hornets On Arrival Day
Enrollment remains strong with yet another top-three class of new first-year students
Hundreds of Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff greeted SU’s newest Hornets by helping them get settled into their residence halls during Arrival Day and New Student Move-In on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Shenandoah is anticipating its second-highest number of new first-year students ever for the Fall 2026 term, giving the university its third consecutive top-three first-year student class.
Many of those new first-year students moved into their residence halls on Arrival Day with the help of 399 volunteers, who swarmed family vehicles and quickly unpacked and carried items such as clothing, televisions and other small appliances to students’ rooms.
Shenandoah has nearly 1,300 students living in university housing this fall.
In addition to its new undergrads, Shenandoah anticipates bringing in one of its largest classes of new graduate students ever. Shenandoah’s total enrollment for Fall 2026 is on pace to become the highest or second-highest in the university’s 151-year history.
All of Shenandoah’s enrollment figures are unofficial until the university completes its fall census in October.
Class of 2030 Stats (First-Year Students)
- New first-year students represent approximately 25 states, with Virginia (65%) having the largest representation followed by Maryland (12%) and Pennsylvania (5%).
- Of those who disclosed their racial/ethnic background, approximately 26% identified as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color (BIPOC).
- The average high school GPA of the incoming first-year class is 3.60.
New Transfer Student Stats
- New transfer students represent approximately 16 states, including Virginia (82%), Pennsylvania (4%) and Maryland (3%).
- Of those who disclosed their racial/ethnic background, approximately 32% identified as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color (BIPOC).
