Eastern welcomes 1,000 new undergraduates in fall 2025

Eastern Connecticut State University began its 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, welcoming more than 1,000 new undergraduate students to its Willimantic campus. The new Warriors, comprising approximately 750 first-time students and 275 transfer students, join a student body of nearly 3,600 students in total, including almost 200 enrolled in graduate programs.

The new students join a diverse, residential campus, with more than one-third of their peers being students of color and over 60% living in campus residence halls. Ninety percent of students hail from Connecticut, though the new students come from 26 states and Canadian provinces overall.

Approximately half of the first-time undergraduates are the first in their families to attend college. They are strong academically, with an average high school GPA of 3.4. Their top declared majors include health sciences, business administration, psychology, nursing, biology, and criminology.

"Each fall, our campus is renewed by the energy and aspirations of new students," said President Karim Ismaili, who is beginning his second academic year at Eastern. "Whether they are the first in their family to attend college, transferring from another institution, or arriving from across Connecticut and beyond, we are committed to helping them find their place at Eastern. My hope is that every student discovers their passions, builds lasting connections, and leaves here prepared to lead lives of purpose and impact."