Incoming 2021 Class is Largest, Most Diverse Ever

When classes began last month, the Carlson School welcomed nearly 1,500 new students. With close to 700 first-year students joining in the fall and more than 350 transfer students enrolling throughout the year, the undergraduate class of 2021 is the largest in school history, eclipsing the previous 2019 mark by more than 20 percent.

It’s also the most diverse, with approximately one in four identifying as students of color. Of that group, the percentage of students from underrepresented groups rose to more than nine percent, up from 6.6 percent, in 2020. All race/ethnicity groups saw increases in both the number of students enrolled as well as their percentage of the student body. Additionally, 15 percent of students self-identified as first-generation, a higher percentage than the last two entering classes.

Enrollment is also strong in the school’s masters programs. The Full-Time MBA program grew by more than 20 percent, welcoming 90 students, the largest cohort in two years. Two in five students identify as female, 13 percent as students of color, and more than 15 percent are military veterans. Increases were also seen in the following programs: Part-Time MBA, Online MBA, Executive MBA, Master of Science in Business Analytics, and Master of Science in Finance. The Master of Applied Business Analytics, Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations, and Master of Science in Supply Chain Management held steady. The new Master of Marketing program begins with a cohort of 11 students.

The numbers and percentages above are reflective of enrollment numbers as they stood September 3, 2021. They may have changed slightly by publication.