Exploring Possibilities.
Achieving Success.
Learn more about who our Exploratory Studies students are, their journeys across campus, and the communities that support them.
Who They Are: Every Student, Every Story
Exploratory Studies proudly serves one of the largest populations of first-year students on campus each year. Through holistic advising, we meet students where they are—supporting their academic, personal, and career growth from day one.
Fall 2025 Enrollment Snapshot
1,755
students enrolled
3rd
largest class of first-year students
35.6%
students from underrepresented backgrounds
37.2%
students identified as first generation college students
(NHPI) Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander
Fall 2025 Enrollment Data
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Students | Percentage of EXP Student Population |
|---|---|---|
| Asian | 177 | 10.1% |
| Black/African | 180 | 10.3% |
| Hispanic | 419 | 23.9% |
| International | 248 | 14.1% |
| Multi-race | 67 | 3.8% |
| White | 613 | 34.9% |
| Unknown | 50 | 2.8% |
| Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander | 1 | <1% |
Where They Go: Exploring Every Path
Exploratory Studies students successfully declare majors across every college on campus—from Engineering to Fine Arts, from Business to Agricultural Sciences. Our students thrive in a wide range of disciplines, reflecting their range of interests and talents.
Academic Year 2024-2025
| College | Number of Students | Average GPA* |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) | 155 | 3.37 |
| Applied Health Sciences (AHS) | 138 | 3.4 |
| Media (MEDIA) | 130 | 3.44 |
| Education (EDUC) | 17 | 3.51 |
| Grainger Engineering (ENGR) | 49 | 3.73 |
| Fine and Applied Arts (FAA) | 49 | 3.36 |
| Gies Business (BUS) | 90 | 3.88 |
| Information Sciences (i-School) | 43 | 3.66 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) | 468 | 3.29 |
| Social Work (SW) | 8 | 3.25 |
The data above represents the number of Exploratory Studies students who transitioned into the respective unit and average GPA of those who transferred. The GPA data shared here does not reflect intercollegiate transfer criteria to the various units on campus.
Community: Connected and Supported
EXP Ambassadors
75+ student leaders who represent Exploratory Studies at events, assist with internal workgroups, and foster connections across campus.
Peer Advisors (Summer Registration)
Guiding new students through course registration, Peer Advisors provide personalized support to help students start strong.
Exploratory Student Association (ESA)
A student-led organization that builds community, advocates for exploratory students, and creates leadership opportunities.
