In a time when many colleges and universities across the United States are grappling with declining enrollments, budget shortfalls, and even closures, Hope College in Holland, Michigan, stands out as a beacon of stability and growth. The private Christian liberal arts college is preparing to celebrate its largest graduating class in school history during the May 2026 commencement ceremony. This remarkable achievement comes amid what Hope College President Matthew Scogin describes as an "existential crisis" in higher education, highlighting the institution's unique strategies that are not only sustaining but expanding its student body.

Hope College, founded in 1866 with roots tracing back to 1851 as the Pioneer School, has long been known for its Reformed Christian tradition and commitment to a rigorous liberal arts education. With a total undergraduate enrollment hovering around 3,400 students in recent years—3,391 in fall 2024 and 3,427 in fall 2025—the college maintains a suburban campus spanning 120 acres. Its student-faculty ratio supports personalized learning, and a four-year graduation rate of 71% speaks to the effectiveness of its academic and support systems.

This record graduating class surpasses previous milestones, such as the Class of 2016, which was the largest at the time with over 680 graduates. While exact figures for the Class of 2026 have not been publicly detailed, the scale underscores Hope's ability to retain and graduate students at record levels, even as national trends point downward.

📉 Navigating the Higher Education Existential Crisis

Higher education in the U.S. is undergoing profound challenges that threaten the viability of numerous institutions. Enrollment peaked at around 21 million students in 2010 but has since declined by about 15%, with projections of a "demographic cliff" exacerbating the issue as high school graduates dwindle post-2025. Public trust has eroded due to soaring tuition costs—averaging over $40,000 annually at private colleges—and questions about return on investment, with many graduates facing student debt burdens exceeding $30,000 on average.

Financial pressures are mounting: state funding per student has stagnated or fallen in many areas, leading to reliance on tuition revenue that is no longer keeping pace. Over 20 colleges closed in 2025 alone, with dozens more at risk according to analyses from education consultancies. Humanities programs are particularly vulnerable, facing cuts amid demands for "monetizable" majors like business and engineering. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) disrupt traditional assessments, while political polarization on campuses alienates potential students and donors.

Amid these headwinds, small liberal arts colleges like Hope are often hit hardest due to limited endowments compared to larger universities. Yet, Hope's story demonstrates that innovative models and a strong institutional culture can defy these odds.

• Declining enrollment: National drop of 1-2% annually in recent years.
• Increased closures: From a handful pre-2020 to 20+ in 2025.
• Funding gaps: State appropriations per student down 13% since 2008 (adjusted for inflation).
• ROI skepticism: 40% of Americans now believe college is not worth the cost.

🏛️ A Profile of Hope College: Resilience in Action

Nestled in Holland, Michigan—a city famed for its Dutch heritage and tulip festivals—Hope College embodies a blend of academic excellence and faith-based community. Ranked #84 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #28 for Most Innovative Schools by U.S. News & World Report, it attracts students seeking a holistic education. The student body is diverse: 77% White, 8% Hispanic, 4% Black, with 32% from outside Michigan and 3% international in recent data. Women comprise 60% of undergraduates.

Tuition and fees stand at $41,242 for 2025-26, but innovative aid packages keep the average net price around $24,000 for those with loans. Retention rates are strong, with 94% of graduates participating in experiential learning like internships or research. Post-graduation outcomes are impressive: 94% are employed or in graduate school within six months, 82% in their field of study, and 85% satisfied with their jobs.

Popular majors include business, psychology, engineering, nursing, and exercise science. Employers range from local firms like Gentex and Holland Hospital to national giants like J.P. Morgan, McKinsey, and Walt Disney World. Graduate schools include University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins, and University of Chicago.

What sets Hope apart is its emphasis on character development and vocational calling, fostering lifelong connections that boost alumni generosity—critical in a landscape where donor rates have plummeted nationally from 20% in 1980 to under 8% today.

🎓 Unveiling the Record Graduating Class

The upcoming May 2026 commencement at DeVos Fieldhouse will mark a historic moment, with the Class of 2026 poised to be the largest ever. Eligible participants include those graduating in December 2025, May, July, or December 2026, provided they maintain a 2.0 GPA. Events span Senior Days in April, Baccalaureate worship, and a live-streamed ceremony.

This class reflects steady incoming cohorts, like the 857 new students in the Class of 2029 arriving in fall 2025—85 with perfect ACT scores. Retention efforts ensure more reach graduation. Compared to the Class of 2024 (over 680 graduates), this surge signals robust pipeline management.

President Scogin notes this success bucks national declines, attributing it to Hope's forward-thinking approach. The milestone not only celebrates students but validates strategies amid sector-wide turmoil.

🚀 Hope Forward: Revolutionizing Tuition and Access

Central to Hope's triumph is the Hope Forward initiative, launched after five years of testing. This pay-it-forward model eliminates upfront tuition charges, replacing them with voluntary post-graduation contributions based on gratitude rather than obligation. Students attend tuition-free (via scholarships and institutional funds), then give back as alumni to fund future classes—zero percent interest loans or gifts.

Key pillars:

• Access: Merit-based admission broadens socioeconomic and racial diversity without quotas.
• Generosity: 85% of Hope Forward students donate before graduation (vs. national <1%).
• Community: Builds ownership, reducing debt anxiety and boosting mental health.

The first 20 Hope Forward graduates exemplify success, pursuing callings without debt burdens. This model addresses core crisis issues: opportunity gaps (wealthy students attend at 99% vs. 30% for poorest), grade inflation from customer mindsets, and declining alumni support. By betting on students' future generosity, Hope has seen higher GPAs, engagement, and graduation rates.

For details, visit Hope Forward official page.

💡 Factors Driving Hope's Enrollment Stability

Beyond Hope Forward, several elements contribute to sustained growth:

• Strong academic outcomes: 93% grad school acceptees to top choices; 89% would recommend Hope.
• Experiential focus: 94% internships/research/off-campus study.
• Community bonds: 95% feel professors care personally; 88% extracurricular involvement.
• Innovation recognition: Top rankings signal quality to prospects.
• Faith integration: Appeals to families valuing character alongside academics.

In contrast to peers slashing programs, Hope invests in holistic support, yielding a virtuous cycle of retention and recruitment.

Prospective faculty and administrators may find opportunities in this thriving environment via higher ed jobs listings.

🌟 Lessons and Future Outlook

Hope College's model offers actionable insights for other institutions: prioritize purpose over transactions, foster ownership to spur generosity, and innovate funding to close access gaps. As demographic pressures intensify through 2030, expect more experimentation with pay-it-forward or income-share agreements.

For Hope, the future looks bright: stable enrollment, first full Hope Forward cohorts, and continued rankings ascent. This resilience positions it well for AI integration and post-pandemic recovery. Read President Scogin's insights in his Forbes article.

Explore U.S. News profile for more stats.

Photo by Sebastian Latorre on Unsplash

📝 Takeaways for Students, Parents, and Professionals

Hope College exemplifies how liberal arts education can thrive. Students: Consider merit-based, debt-free paths aligning with your calling. Parents: Value retention and outcomes over prestige. Professionals: Thriving campuses like Hope offer stable university jobs and higher ed career advice.

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