Last fall, Temple University welcomed its largest first-year class in several years when the Class of 2028 arrived on campus. Early indications suggest that the Class of 2029 will continue this trend and will likely be larger than last year’s class of new students. 

As of July 1, the university has received 6,313 undergraduate deposits from first-year admitted students. This is the most undergraduate first-year deposits ever received by Temple in the institution’s history, and it represents approximately a 9.1% increase from the total number of first-year deposits received last year at this point. Temple has also received an additional 1,663 deposits from graduate students. 

“One of the key priorities for the university is building back enrollment, and this is a tremendous step in that direction,” said Temple President John Fry. “It also reaffirms that what we offer at Temple—an accessible, excellent undergraduate education—is resonating with students and families. I am thankful to my colleagues in the Division of Enrollment Management and across our many schools and colleges who have played a key role in helping to set us on a path to success as we head toward the fall semester.”  

The historic number of deposits follows another historic accomplishment for Temple related to undergraduate admissions. This year, the university received 50,580 first-year and transfer applications, which is also a new record. 

One reason for the rise in undergraduate deposits can be attributed to Temple’s success in drawing students from both its backyard and across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Deposits from first-year Philadelphia students are up 20.3%, continuing a trend of Temple seeing increased interest from students in its backyard in recent years. 

Additionally, deposits in Philadelphia’s collar counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery) are up 18% while deposits in the counties of Berks and Lancaster are up 18%. When looking at the larger picture, deposits are up 20% across the state. 

“When it comes to enrollment work, you really must own your backyard and what I mean by that is you must be an institution that really is the destination for home state residents. That’s especially important for us at Temple University given that we are a public institution,” said Jose Aviles, vice provost for enrollment management. “What we are finding is that the message of what Temple is and what Temple offers really resonates with students and their families, and we are excited about that. Students know that this is a world-class institution that changes lives, and it is something that they want to be a part of.” 

Last year, the Division of Enrollment Management took a boots-on-the-ground approach in recruiting students, as the team heavily increased recruitment visits to schools. While those recruitment visits continued, the team also welcomed more and more prospective students to campus. This year, 4,127 total admitted students attended an Experience Temple Day (ETD), which represented a 4% increase in visitors and was the largest number of student visitors ever to attend ETD. 

The Class of 2029 will also be the second-ever class of students to benefit from the innovative Temple Promise program, a last-dollar financial aid grant program designed to make a Temple education more accessible and affordable for all qualifying admitted first-year, full-time students residing in Philadelphia County with a family adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less. Nearly 500 first-year students benefited from the program last year, and it is expected to provide great financial support to the Class of 2029, as well. 

“We are seeing a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from students in our home city who may have been considering putting off higher education because of the financial realities, but Temple Promise has changed that,” Aviles said. “It has given students an avenue to really see themselves here at Temple, and it has given them an opportunity to make their dreams a reality. It has been a great success thus far.” 

The overall makeup of the Class of 2029 will not be known until the students arrive later this summer for the start of the fall semester. However, here are some key defining traits of the deposited class. 

• Temple continues to see strong interest from out-of-state students. Deposits are up in New York, Georgia and the District of Columbia. 
• Deposits from students of color are up, as well. Currently, students of color make up 66% of first-year deposits. 
• Deposits have come from across the globe, as 83 countries and territories are represented among the deposited class. 
• The academic credentials of the deposited class have also increased as measured by high school GPA, which is 3.45 compared to 3.41 last year. 

“I am thrilled that Temple will welcome another robust class to campus this fall,” said Provost Gregory N. Mandel. “Temple remains a bright light in the landscape of higher education, prioritizing students from all walks of life. It took a campuswide effort to get to this moment with an incredible class, and I want to thank each member of the community who played an important role in these efforts.”