Has Senate Bill 1 affected enrollment in Ohio's universities?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- When students spoke out against Senate Bill 1, Ohio's ban on DEI in higher education, many said they would consider transferring out of state if it became law.

"With only one year left in my education, I would seriously consider transferring if this bill becomes law,” University of Cincinnati law student Abby Hobbs said in testimony against the bill last February. “I am not alone—several of my out-of-state classmates have expressed similar concerns and would leave Ohio for states that do not stifle freedom of speech and expression.” 

But according to preliminary data, Ohio’s new anti-DEI in higher education law has not significantly affected public universities’ enrollment numbers. Not all universities have reported their fall enrollment numbers yet, but initial reports show minimal impact in student body size. However, Ohio's university enrollment trails where it was 10 years ago.

Senate Bill 1 was signed into law in late March, going into effect June 27. The sweeping higher education bill prohibits public colleges from having DEI programs on campus, adjusts tenure reviews, bans faculty strikes and stops universities from endorsing any "controversial belief or policy."

Of Ohio's 15 traditional public universities, nine have reported unofficial enrollment data for 2025. Schools are reporting marginal changes from fall of 2024, but only Bowling Green and the University of Cincinnati have increased their enrollment in the past 10 years.

For example, Ohio University offers data for its enrollment numbers across campuses and the size of the freshman classes. Ohio University's enrollment has increased slightly over the past few years, but still sits lower than it was in the fall of 2016.

Ohio University's freshman class this year is the largest, but enrollment still trails the 2010s. Although COVID-19 was certainly a factor in declining enrollment, data show the student body size was decreasing before the pandemic.

Ohio University saw the lowest percentage decrease of reported data this year, with a 16% decline in enrollment. Akron saw the highest decrease, losing 34% of its student body between 2016 and 2025, followed by Wright State (32% decline), University of Toledo (31%) and Miami (23%).

Of the two schools reporting higher enrollment, only one is reporting a significant increase. Cincinnati increased enrollment by 22% with a record-breaking 54,000 students this year. Bowling Green also increased, but by just 2.8%.

Fall 2025 may be too soon to track Senate Bill 1's effects, as it's only been law for a few months. The anti-DEI law is also just one of many factors affecting enrollment.

According to the Department of Education, the U.S. has been preparing for the "enrollment cliff" for some time, expecting it to hit in 2025. The "enrollment cliff" refers to a predicted sharp decline in university enrollment due to changes in demographics and the 18-year effects of the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009.

The Department of Education said Ohio is likely to be among the hardest hit, predicting enrollment in higher education to drop 15% between 2025 and 2029. This makes it harder to track Senate Bill 1's effects; even if there is a noticeable difference in headcount, it will be complicated by this looming "cliff."

Other changes are purposeful. Ohio State is projecting a freshman class of around 8,300 students, more than 1,200 fewer than last year. Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said this decline was a purposeful admissions tactic to protect from overcrowding.