Slippery Rock University: Student Population And Campus Life

Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania has seen its student population fluctuate in recent years, with total enrolment figures ranging from 7,789 in Spring 2022 to 8,394 in Fall 2024. The university has a large campus of 660 acres and offers over 150 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate degrees and certificates. The student body is predominantly white (84.5%) and the university has a higher proportion of female students, with 63.9% of degrees awarded to women in 2022.

Slippery Rock University's total student population

Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania has experienced fluctuations in its student population in recent years. As of Fall 2024, the university's total enrollment stood at 8,394 students, including 6,853 undergraduates and 1,541 graduate students. This represented a slight increase from the previous year's total enrollment of 8,362.

In Spring 2022, Slippery Rock University's enrollment witnessed a decline to 7,789 students, which was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges. However, the university's retention rate has been impressive, with 84% of first-year students from Fall 2023 returning for the next semester, surpassing the national average for four-year public institutions.

Slippery Rock University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors including Occupational Safety and Health Technology, General Health and Wellness, and Special Education and Teaching. The university's campus spans 660 acres, and it is located in a rural community in Butler County, approximately an hour north of Pittsburgh.

In terms of demographics, the university's student population is predominantly White (84.5%), with smaller proportions of Black or African American (4.16%), Two or More Races (3.44%), and other ethnicities. The gender distribution shows a higher percentage of female students, with 63.9% female and 36.1% male degree recipients in 2022.

Undergraduate vs graduate student numbers

Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania has a total student population of 8,394, as of Fall 2024. This includes 6,853 undergraduates and 1,541 graduate students. The undergraduate population has been consistently high over the years, with 6,815 students enrolled in Fall 2023, and 6,921 in Fall 2021. The number of undergraduates is significantly higher than that of graduate students, with 6,345 undergraduates as a recent low in 2022.

The university has seen a rise in student numbers for three consecutive years, with a record-high retention rate of 84% of first-year students returning for their second year in Fall 2024. This is well above the national average of 74% for four-year public institutions. The total student population has increased by 32 students (0.38%) from 2023 to 2024, and the first-year class is up by 12 students.

Slippery Rock University offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate degrees and certificates. The most popular bachelor's degree concentrations in 2022 were Occupational Safety and Health Technology (157 degrees), General Health and Wellness (113 degrees), and General Special Education and Teaching (100 degrees). The university has a total of 946 employees, including 386 full-time faculty, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1.

First-year student enrolment

Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania has seen a steady increase in its student population in recent years. As of Fall 2024, the university's total enrolment stands at 8,394 students, including 6,853 undergraduates and 1,541 graduate students. This represents a slight increase from the previous year's total enrolment of 8,221 students in 2022.

The university's first-year student enrolment can also be viewed in the context of its admissions process. In 2022, Slippery Rock University received 5,591 undergraduate applications, of which 4,156 students were accepted, resulting in a 74.3% acceptance rate. This acceptance rate is slightly lower than the previous year's rate of 79.5%. The university's admissions process is considered somewhat competitive, and the average high school GPA for entering first-year students is 3.5. Additionally, 78% of first-year students graduated in the top half of their high school class, with 42% in the top quarter.

The university's first-year student enrolment is also influenced by its appeal to students from different backgrounds. The student body is predominantly traditional college age (under 25), with 84% falling into this category. In terms of residency, 88% of students have in-state status, 14% are residents of Butler County, and 58% have residency in west-central Pennsylvania. The university also has a diverse student population, with 11% of students from non-majority ethnicities.

Student demographics

Slippery Rock University's total enrollment was 8,394 students as of Fall 2024, including 6,853 undergraduates and 1,541 graduate students. The university's undergraduate enrollment was 6,815 in Fall 2023. The university's official enrollment for the 2021-22 academic year was 8,424, including 6,921 undergraduates and 1,503 graduate students.

The university's enrollment has been rising, with a record retention rate of 84% of first-year students from the Fall 2023 semester returning for Fall 2024. The total enrollment increased by 32 students (0.38%) from Fall 2023 to Fall 2024.

The student body is predominantly white (84.5%), with smaller populations of Black or African American (4.16%), Two or More Races (3.44%), Hispanic or Latino (2.82%), Asian (0.997%), American Indian or Alaska Native (0.207%), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0.0487%). The gender breakdown of the student body is 58.3% female and 41.7% male.

In 2022, 34% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications. The undergraduate acceptance rate for 2022 was 74.3% (4,156 admissions from 5,591 applications), down from 79.5% in 2021.

The median undergraduate tuition at Slippery Rock University is $7,716, which is significantly lower than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996). In 2022, 88% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, and 61% received financial aid through loans.

Tuition fees

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public institution that was founded in 1889. The tuition fees at Slippery Rock University are set by the Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education. The university offers a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the tuition and fees for in-state students are $10,090, while the tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $13,948. These figures are lower than the national average for both in-state and out-of-state tuition costs. The total cost, including tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and supplies, is $23,395 for in-state students and $27,253 for out-of-state students. The net price, which is the average cost after aid and scholarship funds are deducted, is $16,059 for in-state students and $22,655 for out-of-state students receiving need-based aid.

Slippery Rock University offers a tuition reduction for eligible out-of-state undergraduate students, who pay only 150% of in-state tuition. To be eligible, first-year students must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA on their official high school transcript. Transfer students must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA with 12 or more credit hours earned in post-secondary coursework. Continuing SRU students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Slippery Rock University is $8,445, and 65% of first-year students received this type of financial aid in the fall of 2022. The average need-based self-help aid, which includes federal loans and work-study, is $3,299. The university also offers merit-based aid, with an average non-need-based scholarship or grant of $3,563 for first-year students.

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