Numbers indicate that receiving a college education at a religious institution continues to be an attractive option for many college-bound students.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, institutions affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities — “an international association of intentionally Christ-centered colleges and universities” — saw a 12.56 percent increase in enrollment from 2003 to 2009. In 2003, there were 201,796 full-time students, and by 2009, there were 230,784.
The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, Calif., is one institution that has been casting its nets wider and hauling in more students than ever before. At the start of the 2011–12 academic year, the college reported 1,017 18–24-year-old students in attendance, a 15 percent jump in enrollment in just two years.
School officials say one contributing factor is that their inquiry base — the number of prospective students they communicate with — has increased. According to Director of Admissions Hollie Gorsh, in fall 2008, the inquiry pool was about 11,000. This past fall, it was 17,000.
Some Baptist colleges and universities are seeing not only increases but also record-breaking numbers.
The International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities reported fall 2009 enrollment of 113,261 undergraduate students for 51 schools and fall 2011 enrollment of 122,883. While the list of schools varied slightly from 2009 to 2011, more than half the colleges appeared to show at least a slight increase in their undergraduate numbers.
Union University in Jackson, Tenn., has experienced more than a slight increase in recent years. Fall 2011 enrollment hit a record high of 4,205 students, a 113 percent increase from fall 1996. It also marked the first time undergraduate enrollment topped 3,000 with 3,025 students.
Rich Grimm, Union’s senior vice president for enrollment services, attributes the continued growth to several factors including: “a campus-wide commitment to the core values and mission of the instution … unapologetic Christian commitment … a talented and dedicated team of faculty and staff … and widespread support from a network of alumni, pastors and high school counselors.”
For Samford University in Birmingham, breaking records has become an annual event. Fall 2011 was the third consecutive year it reported record enrollment with 4,758 students, including 1,808 graduate students.
“There are many factors that have a positive impact on our enrollment, including the diligent efforts of our faculty and staff to providing rigorous academic and co-curricular programs that attract students who are interested in a comprehensive, nationally ranked university like Samford,” said R. Phil Kimrey, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management.
A new program is attracting new students to Judson College in Marion.
“Judson’s enrollment has increased over 10 percent since last year largely due to interest in our new associate degree in nursing (ADN) program,” Vice President for Admissions Charlotte Clements said. “Judson has a stellar record (of) providing a first-rate education in the sciences. In fact, of those who enrolled in graduate programs within one year of graduation, 25 percent enrolled in medical schools. The new ADN program will build off our success in the science division.”
According to the Judson registrar’s office, enrollment numbers rose between fall 2010 (312 students) and fall 2011 (348 students).
The University of Mobile’s (UMobile) enrollment rose for the fourth year in a row. UMobile reported 1,798 students — 1,303 undergraduate students, 197 graduate students and 298 in the Center for Adult Programs — enrolled for the fall 2011 semester, almost a 4 percent increase from 2010.
UMobile President Mark Foley said relevant and challenging academic programs integrating faith, learning and leadership are attracting students to the school, as well as opportunities to incorporate knowledge and talents in service locally and abroad.
Those things have people talking, Vice President for Enrollment Services Kim Leousis said.
“Our growth is a reflection of our current students and graduates going out and telling people how satisfied they are with their college experience,” Leousis said.
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