Loyola’s Class of 2026 set to break records as largest and most diverse class in university history

Loyola University Maryland is looking forward to welcoming a strong and diverse Class of 2026 in the fall after exceeding the University’s deposit goal for the incoming class.

As of May 6, 2022, the University received more than 1,300 deposits from students, which surpasses the goal for the incoming class by more than 300 deposits. The Class of 2026 is projected to be the largest first-year class in university history by more than 100 students.

“I am grateful to all the members of the Loyola community who have participated in the recruitment of this class, especially through our campus visit programs,” said Eric Nichols, vice president for enrollment management. “Being able to bring students and families to Loyola to see our campus, meet our students, hear from our outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators across the University, and making additional investments in our digital resources including the Amazon Prime College Tour, and online opportunities have allowed us to meet students where they are.”

As the class stands today, it is the most racially diverse class welcomed to Loyola, with 39% identifying as students of color. Incoming students from Maryland stand at 36% of the class, which would mark the largest in-state enrollment for an incoming class in more than two decades.

The incoming class also tied last year’s class with the highest average high school GPA on record of 3.65.

Class of 2026 by the numbers:

• A record 25% are first-generation students
• A record 19% are Pell-eligible
• 71 students are from Baltimore City, which is an 87% increase compared to 2021
• 64% are out-of-state students
• The male-to-female ratio of 47% to 53% makes this the most gender-balanced class on record
• 92% are residential students and 8% are commuters

“Enrolling students with diverse backgrounds and experiences enriches our entire community and has been a goal for the University,” said Nichols. “As a former Pell recipient and first-generation student myself, these goals are also of particular importance to me personally.”

The Class of 2026 is currently from 34 states, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and four countries, including the United States.