Students pose on the first day of classes in fall 2025. Photo by Nick Chismar ’20
The first-year students arrive on campus Friday, breaking the previous enrollment record from 2024.
BETHLEHEM, PA—August 25, 2026: Today, Moravian University announced it will officially welcome the largest incoming class in its 284-year history on Friday, August 28, 2026. As colleges and universities across the nation struggle to meet enrollment goals and maintain financial stability, Moravian continues an upward trajectory that has been building over the last decade, including being recognized as the fastest-growing university in the region since 2014.
As of August 25, 556 first-year students have enrolled at Moravian, surpassing the previous record of 525 first-year students set in the fall of 2024. Moravian will also welcome more than 80 transfer students this fall.
Multiple factors have contributed to this enrollment success; including a favorable financial rating (BBB+ Issuer Credit Rating (ICR) from S&P Global), the recent opening of a state-of-the-art student center, and the ability to launch programs that meet the needs of the market, such as aviation management and a significant investment in ensuring all students are AI-ready.
In addition, Moravian’s Laurie Riley ’82 Center for Career Success was recently awarded the prestigious Career Readiness Excellence Award by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), an honor recognizing the top career readiness program in the nation.
“The entire Moravian University community is always excited to welcome an incoming class of first-years students, and when they’re a record-breaking class, it’s that much better,” said Bryon Grigsby, president of Moravian University. “Bringing in a class like this is a reflection of the hard work from departments across campus, but specifically the teams in admissions, financial aid, and the coaches in Athletics that have guided our new students and their families throughout their journey. We’re confident these students have found a home here and we can’t wait for this weekend.”
Media & Photo Opportunity | First-Year Students Arrive on Friday, August 28
On Friday, August 28, students and their families arrive on campus to move into the residence halls on the Main Street (North) Campus, as well as the Priscilla Payne Hurd (South) Campus.
- What: First-Year Student Move-In Day
- When: Friday, August 28, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m.
- Where: Main Street (North) Campus & Priscilla Payne Hurd (South) Campus, Bethlehem, PA
- Visuals: Hundreds of students and families arriving, moving into residence halls, and participating in campus orientation activities.
Move-in Day is a memorable day for first-year students and their families. This event kicks off a full weekend of orientation activities to welcome new students to Moravian University, including events on John Makuvek Field, the traditional Moravian Mile walk down Main Street on Sunday, August 30, and much more.
To see the entire orientation schedule for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday view the Class of 2030 Orientation Schedule.
Media Contact
Michael Corr
Moravian University
Email: corrm@moravian.edu
Phone: 610.861.1365
About Moravian University
Moravian University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the nation’s sixth-oldest university and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. For more than 280 years, the university has been preparing students for reflective lives, fulfilling careers, and transformative leadership in a world of change. Moravian University is a member of The New American Colleges and Universities (NACU), a national consortium of private comprehensive colleges and universities working together to graduate extraordinary professionals for a global workforce and society.
In 2024, Moravian University became part of a World Heritage designation when Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem, Gracehill (Northern Ireland, UK), and Herrnhut (Saxony, Germany) joined Christiansfeld (Denmark) as a single World Heritage Site—Moravian Church Settlements. Moravian is just the second university in the United States to be part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and only the eighth university in the world to have this recognition.
Visit moravian.edu to learn more about how Moravian University prepares its students for lifelong success.