St. John Fisher Welcomes 617 Students — Its 10th Consecutive Class Above 600

The move-in weekend looked familiar to anyone who has lived in Pittsford long enough. Moving trucks queued near Fisher's entrance, families carried boxes across campus, and 617 first-year students claimed their dorm rooms and began figuring out where they belong. It was St. John Fisher University's 10th consecutive move-in day with more than 600 incoming students — a streak that predates the institution's university status. Fall 2026 enrollment at St. John Fisher University marks a decade of consistent growth, and Pittsford has had a front-row seat for every class arrival.

The Class of 2030: St. John Fisher University's 2026 Enrollment

The Class of 2030: St. John Fisher University's 2026 Enrollment

The 617 students who enrolled for fall 2026 were drawn from the largest applicant pool in university history. They brought geographic range: students from 20 states outside New York, the second highest out-of-state count in Fisher's history.

"We are excited to welcome our newest students to Fisher. Each brings unique talents, perspectives, and aspirations."

— President Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, St. John Fisher University

Fisher officially transitioned to university status on July 1, 2022. The 600+ enrollment streak is four years older than that designation. The growth predates the name change — it was already underway when Fisher was still a college, and the university status followed the momentum.

What's Drawing Students to Fisher

What's Drawing Students to Fisher

The top programs chosen by incoming students tell you what kind of institution Fisher has become. Nursing, Finance, Sport Management, Biology, Pharmaceutical Studies, and Management lead this class — programs where Fisher has built specific placement records and career pathways over years. Students relocating from 20 states are making a deliberate choice in favor of specific programs, not a general name-brand decision.

St. John Fisher was established in 1951 with 10 faculty members and 11 majors. Seventy-five years of building programs and graduation pathways is the infrastructure behind a record applicant pool.

Fisher's Place in Pittsford and Rochester

Fisher's Place in Pittsford and Rochester

The 617 new students arrive into a community Fisher has shaped for 75 years. In fiscal year 2023, the university generated $135.6 million in regional economic output and supported 1,427 direct jobs in Rochester with $79.4 million in earnings.

The alumni numbers are equally specific. Among Fisher alumni who remain in New York, 57% stay in the Rochester area. Nearly 7% of Rochester-area residents aged 25 and older hold a Fisher bachelor's degree — a figure that shows up in the employers, neighbors, and volunteers this community relies on.

In 2022-23, 2,654 Fisher students volunteered 446,238 hours in the community. That service lands in Pittsford classrooms, food banks, and nonprofits that count on Fisher students as part of their operating capacity every semester.

The Class of 2030 is the 10th consecutive incoming class above 600, drawn from the largest applicant pool in university history.