Despite the COVID-19 pandemic changing the academic landscape for the fall semester, Pitt’s incoming class of 2024 represents a continued shift toward increasing diversity on campus.

According to Molly Swagler, the executive director of enrollment outreach at the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, the incoming class has one of the most diverse backgrounds in Pitt’s history. This is a trend that has continued for several years, with the class of 2024 breaking the diversity record previously held by Pitt’s class of 2023. Swagler estimated that 37% of incoming first-year students are from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

“We are also welcoming more African American/Black and Latinx students than ever to campus this year,” Swagler said. “Overall, a record 15% of the Class of 2024 are from underrepresented minority groups.”

Statistics provided by OAFA also reveal that a record-breaking 32,000 students applied to Pitt as part of this class of applications. University Senate President Chris Bonneau said in May that first-year enrollment was up 17.8% compared to last year. Swagler also said at the time that fewer than two dozen students had requested deferrals.

The University narrowed this applicant pool down to 4,400 first-year students and 600 transfer students for the class of 2024. Of those accepted, 56% are from Pennsylvania, a record 44% are from out of state and 5% are international students.

The class of 2024 will also be spread across all different schools. Approximately 330 students were accepted to the College of Business and Administration, 3,000 to the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, 200 to the School of Computing and Information, 150 to the School of Nursing and 575 to the Swanson School of Engineering.

Swagler said while there will be many hurdles for the first-year class due to the ongoing pandemic, Pitt is looking forward to the new students expanding the community.

“We are so thrilled to welcome every one of these students to Pitt,” Swagler said. “Our community is rich in diversity and inclusion, which is an essential component of our excellence.”