13% Increase in Enrollment from 2023 to 2024, Largest Total Enrollment in 25 Years
Villa Maria announced today the incoming class for the 2024-2025 academic year is the largest incoming class in the College’s history. This major milestone is attributable to the College’s in-demand degree programs, proven student access, academic readiness and ongoing support, and the College’s steadfast commitment to educational equity.
In the context of colleges and universities locally and nationally facing significant enrollment declines, Villa Maria’s success underscores the demand and need for affordable, accessible, and supportive higher education that equips students to succeed in the world.
Villa anticipated to build upon the growth of 2023 – a record-setting year for the College. Villa Maria exceeded expectations and brought in over 40 more new students than the prior year, a 15% increase, setting a record-setting class in the school’s history. This year’s enrollment increase brings the College’s total overall enrollment more than 615 students, an increase of 13% over the 2023 incoming class.
Villa Maria’s incoming class is diverse and largely from Erie County. Villa Maria’s incoming class represents 78 area high schools. Villa Maria is a Buffalo college serving Buffalo students.
Villa Maria is Educational Equity.
“At Villa Maria, we are working towards educational equity. That means ensuring each student’s personal challenges do not interfere with their ability to realize their potential and succeed,” said Dr. Matthew Giordano, president, Villa Maria College. “It has been among the College’s top priorities to make higher education more accessible and affordable for all students and their families. Creating programs to increase access and expand support is at the forefront of everything we do.”
Villa Maria is Access.
Dr. Giordano continued: “We were the first college to eliminate the cost of textbooks and supplies for all students. We addressed transportation issues by working with the NFTA to create a bus stop on campus and by partnering with Lyft to give every student access to the ride share at no cost to them. We continue to evolve our Achieve Program for Students with Learning Differences – the only program of its kind in Western New York. 99% of students receive financial aid with 85% receiving a Villa-funded scholarship. If a student is committed to getting a college degree, Villa Maria is committed to helping them do it.”
Villa Maria is Support.
“We have built a culture of support that is unrivaled,” added Dr. Giordano. “Our Student Success Center supports students in meeting their academic goals and our Care Center supports them in working through any personal challenges that may arise. This includes issues like food insecurity, housing instability, and more. We’ve developed robust advising and mental health support systems that allow us to identify problems early on so we can intervene as soon as possible and help our students become more self-aware, independent, and resourceful.”
Villa Maria Prepares Students for the World.
“At Villa Maria, we focus on job readiness through exposure and experience,” said Dr. Giordano. “We align career development with in-demand degree programs and private sector partnerships to create financial and social mobility for WNY’s most diverse student body.”
A significant part of Villa Maria’s growth is due to its academic programs – both degree-granting programs and short-term certificate programs.
- Animation
- Criminal Justice
- Digital Filmmaking (WNY’s only program)
- Game Design (WNY’s only program)
- Graphic Design
- Computer Software Development
- Interior Design
- Sport Management
- And more
Certificate programs are available in:
- Digital Media Marketing
- AR/VR
- Filmmaking
- Furniture Design
- Live Sound
- Marketing
- Social Media Influencer
- And more
Looking Ahead.
As the College welcomes its largest class size, it is also finalizing a new strategic plan that will guide Villa Maria through 2027. “As Villa continues to grow, we must do so strategically. We must be mindful of how we can expand access, broaden and deepen support for students, and continue to prepare them to excel at in-demand jobs,” said Dr. Giordano. “More students, more private sector partnerships, more reach into the community means more opportunity to continue to live our mission creating opportunities for students to learn, grow and thrive in the real world.”
