By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — The incoming class of new students at Young Harris College is one of the largest the college has seen in years, with increases across the board including first-year students, dual enrollment, and graduate students.
“This year was a good year for us in the Enchanted Valley. It was the largest incoming class at YHC in four years,” said YHC President John Wells. “The hard work in our admissions and athletics offices is on display with increases in nearly every area of our enrollment.”
YHC saw a 37% increase in the number of applications and a 20% increase in first–year student deposits this year. Dual enrollment brought in its largest class in the history of the program, with a 20% increase. Likewise, the number of graduate students at YHC doubled this year, with the launch of the new online Master of Science in Leadership and Supervision program and the continued growth in the Master of Arts in Teaching program.
“Over the past year, we’ve been very intentional about aligning our recruitment and marketing efforts, strengthening how we tell the YHC story, and creating more meaningful connections with prospective students and families,” said Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Kayla Walker. “This growth reflects the momentum we’re seeing at YHC and the intentional work happening across our campus.”
The trend is especially encouraging given the national trend in higher education enrollment in the United States, as it grew by only 1% in spring 2026 to reach 18.6 million total students, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
“We surpassed every new student goal we set for ourselves this year,” Walker said. “But we will continue to focus on sustaining the momentum, especially given the struggles we see in higher education.”
Many in the field refer to the impending demographic cliff as a primary concern in higher ed. U.S. births peaked in 2007 at roughly 4.3 million before dropping significantly during the economic downturn and recession. As a result, high school graduate numbers are expected to fall by roughly 13% to 15% from their peak beginning in 2025-2026 and through 2041.
“We can’t rest on our laurels this year but must continue to tell the story about the College and our dedicated faculty and staff,” Wells said. “What we offer here in the Enchanted Valley, at Young Harris College, is an educational and life experience unlike any other in the United States.”
