Xavier University in Cincinnati has announced the Musketeer Forever Scholars Program, a new initiative guaranteeing a minimum $30,000 merit scholarship for incoming freshmen from Ohio and Greater Cincinnati with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The program is designed to make private education more accessible and competitive with public universities in the region.
Funded by alumni and donors, the program offers automatic admission and financial support to qualifying students. Annual undergraduate tuition at Xavier exceeds $52,000, compared to just over $14,000 at the University of Cincinnati for local students. University leaders say the initiative is intended to reduce financial barriers and attract more mission-aligned students.
“This is going to open the door to Xavier education for even more students going forward,” said Scott Clyde, vice president for strategic enrollment. “Our goal is to make Xavier an attainable option without the sticker shock families often experience with private institutions.”
The announcement comes as Xavier faces a 17% drop in its freshman class, which fell to 800 students this fall from 968 in 2024. Clyde said the university hopes to surpass 1,000 freshmen in 2026.
In addition to the scholarship program, Xavier plans to expand its academic offerings with nearly 40 new undergraduate majors, minors, and certificates in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and health sciences. University officials say the combined efforts will enhance Xavier’s competitiveness and strengthen its role in preparing students for high-demand careers.
