Cedarville University reports record student enrollment

DAYTON, Ohio — While many universities and colleges across the country, both public and private, are seeing a decline in enrollment; Cedarville University is seeing a record growth. 

Kicking off the fall semester, Cedarville welcomed its largest student body, 7,265 undergraduate, graduate and dual-enrolled program students, including online undergraduate degrees. 

“We are deeply grateful for each and every student God has called to Cedarville University to pursue a Christ-centered education,” said Dr. Thomas White, president. “While enrollment numbers are not our primary measure of success, we are committed to equipping these students for their vocations and ministries. We give all glory to God for what He is doing on our campus and will seek to be faithful stewards of every student He sends our way.” 

Of the incoming students, 1,199 are first-year students along with 111 transfers. Cedarville saw 3,566 returning students, marking a 12.5% increase from last year. Dual-enrollment courses, which are offered online and through partner high schools, saw a 26% growth with 2,244 high schoolers taking courses for college credit. 

There are 62 students enrolled in the five new online undergraduate programs, which include accounting, communication, finance, IT management and management, and starting in January, a bachelor of arts in biblical and theological studies will be available online. 

Cedarville also saw 700 new students enroll in its graduate school, an 18.6% increase from last year. The university offers nearly 30 master;s and doctoral degree programs, including new paths in a Master of Theological Studies and a Master of Arts in Communication and Organizational Leadership  

“We offer 175 different academic programs, including accredited professional degrees that aren’t available at many Christian universities,” said Janice Supplee, vice president for marketing and communications and dean of graduate studies. 

The university is continuing to focus on campus expansion and facilities, including the $35 million Bolthouse Academic Center and new apartment housing scheduled to open next academic year. Since 2018, Cedarville has added seven new residence halls. 

 “Our focus is not only on short-term growth but also on long-term sustainability,” he said. “We are dedicated to ensuring that Cedarville remains faithful to our mission of being ‘for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ’ in all we do.”

Cedarville continues to focus on its 10-year campus master plan and its fundraising initiative, the One Thousand Days Transformed campaign. The campaign has so far raised over $195 million toward scholarships, facilities and long-term initiatives. The final campaign amount will be announced on Friday, Oct. 2.