New student enrollment rises for a second straight year; first-year class is largest since 2019
KENOSHA, Wis. (Sept. 2, 2026) — More than 1,000 new students began classes at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside this week, marking a second consecutive year of undergraduate enrollment growth and the university’s largest incoming first-year class since 2019.
“Students are choosing UW–Parkside because they see a direct path from their degree to a career in this region,” said Chancellor Lynn Akey. “Parkside plays a crucial role in Southeastern Wisconsin by connecting student success with employer and community needs. We will keep making more possible for students across this region.”
The incoming class includes students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. Across the full academic year, UW–Parkside expects to reach more than 4,000 learners again this year, a total that includes the competency-based FLEX Business program, a nursing partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and accelerated online degrees that enroll new students with six start dates each year.
Full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment, a standardized measure that reflects both full-time and part-time enrollment based on student credit hours, is projected to remain steady. Overall student headcount is expected to decrease slightly, driven primarily by lower international graduate student enrollment. Official tenth-day headcount and FTE figures will be available in late September.
More than half of UW–Parkside graduates identify as first-generation college students, and Parkside also serves a large population of adult learners. The university continues to invest in support systems that help both groups persist, connect, and graduate.
For more information about UW–Parkside programs and enrollment, visit uwp.edu or take a virtual tour at www.uwp.edu/apply/virtualtour.
Media contact: Ashley Petersen | Strategic Communications Director | petersea@uwp.edu
About the University of Wisconsin–Parkside
Since 1968, the University of Wisconsin–Parkside has been turning ambition into achievement. Through undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and hands-on learning experiences, UW–Parkside empowers students to launch careers and strengthen the regional workforce. Located in the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor, UW–Parkside connects students with employers, internships, and partnerships that drive innovation and economic growth across southeastern Wisconsin.