York College Hosts Largest Open House Since 2017, Welcomes Record-Breaking Interest from Prospective Students
York College of Pennsylvania welcomed its highest registration numbers and highest attended Open House since 2017 on Saturday, November 15, drawing 293 prospective students and a total of 806 attendees including guests.
Families traveled to campus from eight states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Vermont.
The turnout at the Waldner Performing Arts Center was nearly filled to capacity for the Opening Remarks, with only a handful of seats remaining. Attendance was so strong, in fact, that the College added a second welcome session in Willman Business Center to ensure every family could be accommodated comfortably.
This surge in interest reflects a remarkable period of growth for the College. Over the past two years, applications have risen 85%, including a 56% jump compared to last year alone. The increase is driven in part by York College’s expanded recruitment strategy, including its use of the Common App and Niche, as well as a renewed national outreach effort that included over 600 high school visits and college fairs this year. Applications have now arrived from all 50 states.
“Our momentum is undeniable,” said Brian Hazlett, Vice President of Enrollment Management. “More students than ever are discovering what makes York College special, our commitment to hands-on learning, our dedicated faculty, and our focus on helping students build meaningful careers all at an affordable price. We’re thrilled to see this level of excitement, and even more excited to welcome these students into our community.”
Admitted student numbers reflect the same positive trend, rising by nearly 33%, an increase of approximately 1,000 students over last year.
Among the many students attending Saturday’s event was Caroline Williams, an Early Decision student already committed to joining York College in Fall 2026. A future Sport Management major and incoming member of the Spartan Field Hockey team, Caroline said the Open House experience reinforced her excitement about becoming a Spartan.
“It was really informative. I learned a lot. Everyone was really welcoming,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in working in sports. I want to either do sports marketing or advertising for an NFL or MLB team. I just want to work in the sports field when I graduate.”
Caroline was joined by her mom, Katie Williams, who said the event offered a new perspective, even after multiple previous campus visits.
“We’ve been here a number of times, but never to an actual Open House,” she said. “It was nice the way they did this. The last several times we’ve been here, it’s been all about her, as it should be. It’s her experience. But it was nice to have some questions answered.”
Katie said the location and strength of York College’s Sport Management program made the choice clear for their family.
“When she said she was interested in Sports Management and we started doing some digging, it was obvious this was an ideal spot,” she said. “You really can’t beat this location for a sports management program. You’ve got Philly, New York, Baltimore, and all of the many minor league teams in the area, on top of the solid program at York College, it’s really the best of both worlds. York College is a great find. It’s a hidden gem. I think she will be very happy here.”
As part of the day’s programming, students interested in majors within the Graham School of Business were invited to a separate welcome session in Willman Business Center. From there, students fanned out across campus, engaging directly with faculty, exploring academic programs, stepping inside classrooms, and experiencing firsthand the tools and technologies tied to their future fields. The Library’s Activities Fair offered conversations with Deans and campus leaders, while guided tours throughout the day showcased residence halls, labs, studios, and student spaces.
For Caroline, the day only strengthened her excitement about the next chapter.
“I’m looking forward to the field hockey season starting and meeting all the other girls on the team,” she said. “I’m excited to meet a lot of other people here too. A lot of my future teammates say how there are always a lot of activities going on. I’m excited to see it!”
Hazlett said stories like Caroline’s reflect what continues to make York College a standout choice.
“Our students come here because they feel welcomed, supported, and inspired,” he said. “They see the opportunities, they feel the community, and they know they’ll graduate with the confidence and experience to thrive. That’s what York College stands for. And we’re proud to see so many future Spartans recognizing that.”
