More than 2,400 students join the Thomas More community

CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY. (Sept. 8, 2026) –Thomas More University launched the 2026-2027 academic year on Aug. 17 with a historic student body of more than 2,400 students, marking the University’s third consecutive year of enrollment growth and its highest enrollment in institutional history. Total enrollment increased a record-breaking six percent over the previous year, underscoring the growing national recognition of Thomas More and the strength of its distinctive Catholic liberal arts education.

The incoming class reflects both academic excellence and an increasingly national and global reach, with students representing 20 states and nine nations and achieving the highest-ever average incoming GPA of 3.75. New first-year undergraduate enrollment grew six percent, with the class including 241 student-athletes, 58 graduates from Diocese of Covington and Archdiocese of Cincinnati high schools, and 32 Bishop Foys Ministry and Service Scholars.

Thomas More’s growth extends well beyond the undergraduate experience. Full-time graduate enrollment surged 44 percent year-over-year, fueled by increased enrollment in the MBA, Master of Public Health and Master of Education programs. This significant expansion reflects the University’s strategic investment in graduate education and its ability to meet the evolving needs of students and communities throughout the region and beyond.

“Entering the 2026-2027 academic year, Thomas More is advancing from a position of distinct strength,” said Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D., President of Thomas More University. “Record enrollment is more than a number—it is a powerful affirmation that students and families recognize the value of a Thomas More education: a transformative Catholic liberal arts experience that develops the whole person, prepares students for meaningful careers and delivers a strong return on investment.”

At the heart of this next chapter is a strategic focus on student success, retention and the long-term success of every Thomas More student. The University is introducing a new strategic plan centered on the Characteristics of a Saint, a distinctive framework built upon four pillars: Hospitality, Humility, Service, and Stewardship.

These principles will shape the student experience and strengthen the University’s ability to help students thrive from the moment they arrive through graduation and beyond. By intentionally supporting students’ physical, spiritual, academic and social development, Thomas More is creating an environment where students are not simply enrolled—they are known, supported, challenged and equipped to succeed.

As Thomas More looks to the future, its strategy is clear: grow with purpose, strengthen student success, expand opportunity and elevate its national reputation. Record enrollment and graduate growth are important milestones, but the University’s greatest measure of success will be the students who graduate prepared to lead, serve and make a lasting impact in their communities and the world.

About Thomas More University

Founded in 1921, Thomas More University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, challenging students to Make It More. Deeply rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, this timeless foundation supports a transformative educational experience as students looking to Be More are guided in the pursuit of knowledge, ethical leadership, and the integration of faith and reason. Through the high-quality, liberal arts education provided at Thomas More, students examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others which leads to the ability to think critically and contribute meaningfully to the world. Serving more than 2,300 students, Thomas More takes its place as the premier Catholic university in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, being named one of the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal. For more, visit thomasmore.edu.