As Elon University prepares for the class of 2029 to arrive on campus, the enrollment of incoming new students has decreased by 11.6%. 

Elon University Admissions was expecting this drop in enrollment due to a demographic shift, according to a statement to Elon News Network from Vice President for Enrollment, Greg Zaiser. This demographic cliff was caused by the birth rate falling in the U.S. at the start of the Great Recession in 2008. 

“We made the decision to one, make certain the class profile did not decline by admitting students who aren’t well prepared for the Elon classroom and two, preserving our value proposition,” Zaiser wrote.

Despite Elon’s decrease in enrollment, the National Center for Education Statistics. predicts that enrollment will increase by 7% for four-year institutions by 2031. 

According to Zaiser, the 10 most represented states in the class of 2029 were all from the east coast, with six of the 10 being the most represented states in the class of 2028. 

Nia Bedard | Elon News Network
Data of the incoming Elon class of 2029, courtesy of Greg Zaiser, Elon's Vice President for Enrollment. Students have committed to Elon from many states but the most popular are North Carolina, Massachusetts, New York New Jersey, Maryland, Virgina, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and Georgia

The class of 2029 will officially arrive at Elon University on Aug. 22 for move-in.