Virginia Union University is experiencing a surge in freshmen enrollment to start the fall semester, joining other area universities in reporting an increase in first-time students.

The Richmond HBCU that has been offering classes since 1867 reported enrolling 465 freshmen, a 34% increase over the 347 freshmen who enrolled in 2022 and the largest incoming class in seven years.

Including transfers, VUU reported 550 first-time undergraduate students are now taking classes, the largest number since 2015.

“Virginia Union has welcomed students for nearly 160 years, and this is one of our strongest years ever,” said Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, president and CEO.

“We know that students have choices, and we are proud they are selecting Virginia Union in rising numbers,” Dr. Lucas stated.

“This is especially gratifying at a time when some question the value of higher education,” he continued. “This enrollment is a testimony to our faculty who teach students, our alumni who inspire them and our community that guides students to a lifetime of success.”

Virginia Commonwealth University separately reported that about 4,500 freshmen enrolled for fall classes the largest number in five years.

Meanwhile, Virginia State University is hoping to match or beat the 2022 enrollment of 1,700 freshmen and transfers, which VSU stated was the largest class of first-time students on campus in more than 30 years. The total represented an increase of 550 first-time students over the 1,150 enrolled in the fall of 2021 or a 48 percent increase.