A larger freshman class, improved student retention and strong growth in several academic programs helped shape the fall 2026 semester at Nicholls State University, even as lower dual-enrollment participation contributed to a modest decline in the university’s overall headcount, according to this news release from the university.
Official fall enrollment figures showed 5,795 students enrolled at Nicholls on the 14th class day. Among them were 1,088 first-time freshmen, representing a 1.4% increase from the previous year. Graduate enrollment also climbed 4.1%, adding to signs of growth in both new undergraduate enrollment and advanced degree programs. Detailed figures are available through the university’s Office of Institutional Research, Effectiveness and Planning, which publishes enrollment reports for the fall, spring and summer semesters.
Nicholls’ overall enrollment decreased by approximately 1.7%, but university officials attributed much of that decline to fewer local high school students participating in dual enrollment. Dual-enrollment programs allow students to take college-level courses while still enrolled in high school, meaning changes in participation can affect a university’s total enrollment without necessarily reflecting a similar shift in its traditional undergraduate population. Once dual-enrollment students were excluded, Nicholls’ year-over-year enrollment remained approximately even.
Another significant measure came from student retention. Nicholls reported a 74.93% first-time freshman retention rate, an increase of 1.5%. Retention generally measures the percentage of first-year students who return for their second year, making it an important indicator for colleges because enrollment growth depends not only on attracting new students but also on supporting those already on campus.
Nicholls President Jay Clune said the combination of freshman growth and improved retention suggested that the university was seeing progress both in recruiting students and keeping them enrolled. He connected the figures to Nicholls’ broader goal of providing students with a strong collegiate experience in Louisiana.
The number of students receiving Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, or TOPS, awards also increased by 3.9%. TOPS is Louisiana’s state scholarship program for qualifying high school graduates and includes several award levels based on academic requirements. For Louisiana institutions such as Nicholls, changes in the number of TOPS recipients can provide another indication of the composition of the incoming and continuing student population.
Growth was especially noticeable within the College of Sciences and Technology, where enrollment rose 5.2%. The college includes programs in areas such as applied sciences, biological sciences, mathematics, petroleum engineering technology and safety management, all of which contributed to the increase. The college offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs along with pre-professional pathways in scientific and technical fields.
Enrollment at the Thibodaux Regional Health System School of Nursing increased 1.1%. Additional growth could follow the completion of expanded nursing facilities scheduled for later in fall 2026. Nicholls offers several nursing pathways, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduate-level options designed to prepare students for clinical practice and advanced roles in health care.
One of the university’s largest percentage increases occurred at the graduate level. The Master of Business Administration program recorded a 65.5% enrollment increase. Nicholls offers both evening and online MBA pathways through the Al Danos College of Business, providing options for recent graduates as well as working professionals seeking an advanced business degree.
Taken together, the fall 2026 figures present a more detailed picture than the university’s overall enrollment change alone. While total headcount declined slightly because of lower dual enrollment, gains among first-time freshmen, returning students, graduate students and several academic programs showed areas of continued growth as Nicholls entered the new academic year.
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