Morgan State becomes nation's third-largest HBCU with record enrollment

BALTIMORE — Morgan State University had record enrollment for the fourth consecutive year, making it the third-largest historically Black college or university in the U.S., the school announced Tuesday.

“Morgan’s record-breaking enrollment for Fall 2024 is a testament to the growing recognition of the transformative education and opportunities we offer,” David K. Wilson, president of the Northeast Baltimore school, said in a statement. “Achieving four consecutive years of record new student growth, alongside our highest-ever graduate school enrollment, speaks volumes about the dedication of our faculty, staff and alumni to making Morgan a premier destination for students nationwide and around the world.”

Morgan State now has 10,739 students enrolled, an increase of 9.4% from the previous year. The university also set a school record with 2,369 new students in 2024-25, an increase of nearly 4% from last year.

Just over half of the new undergraduate students come from outside Maryland, according to the university.

As of September, North Carolina A&T had the highest enrollment of any HBCU in the U.S. with 14,311 students, followed Howard University, which has about 13,500 students, according to Morgan State.

In addition, Morgan State has its largest graduate enrollment in the school’s history with 1,712 students, a 14% increase over the previous year. Morgan State received 24,414 applications for the fall semester, 96% of which came from first-time freshman applicants.

This year’s freshman class arrived from 41 states and seven countries with an average high school grade-point average of 3.16.

As enrollment increases, Morgan State and other HBCUs, which are traditionally underfunded compared with other colleges, have raced to update their infrastructure and increase housing.

The university currently houses 48.4% of its total student enrollment, which exceeds the national average of 30% compared to other universities nationwide providing housing to students on and off campus, officials said. For the 2024-25 academic year, Morgan State’s total on-campus housing accommodates 2,706 students. The school has 5,197 beds available, 2,491 of which are off-campus.

Morgan State has housed some extra students in the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Prior to the start of this academic school year, Morgan State opened one newly constructed dorm called Legacy Hall and finished renovations on two other dwellings: Baldwin Hall and Cummings House.

“The enthusiasm reflected in the 24,000-plus applications we received underscores our mission’s impact and our brand’s strength,” Wilson said. “As we continue to break barriers and set new benchmarks, Morgan remains committed to empowering students to achieve academic excellence and make meaningful contributions to society.”

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