New Data Reverse Previously Reported Enrollment Gains

Another set of updated enrollment figures was released during the CSU Faculty Senate's February 2026 meeting. According to CSU President Stuart Rayfield, Spring 2026 enrollment is down by 2.28% in terms of head count, and down 1.89% in terms of student credit hours. During the January 2026 Faculty Senate meeting, Rayfield indicated that Spring 2026 enrollment is up 2.0% in terms of headcount and 2.25% in terms of student credit hours. Thus, the updated enrollment numbers represent percentage point swings of −4.28 and −4.14, respectively, from last month's numbers, which were, at that time, referenced as indicators of a rebound from the enrollment decline in Fall 2025. The new Spring 2026 numbers are now being characterized as "less of a drop" than those from Fall 2025. Next, it was also reported that applications for Fall 2026 are down, and that the new graduate student headcount is down 7%. On the positive side, the new undergraduate student headcount is up 10%, the overall graduate student headcount is up 2.4%, and that the number of returning first-year students is up 2% this semester. Lastly, Rayfield added that despite the drop in applications for Fall 2026, admissions for Fall 2026 are up a staggering 300%. This suggests that admissions criteria have been adjusted in a notable way.