FPU photo

Fresno Pacific University has announced its 2024-25 enrollment analysis, reporting a slight drop in overall enrollment while at the same time a bump in enrollment of students in graduate programs. 

According to the university’s annual 11-day census report, Fresno Pacific reported a total of 2,889 students enrolled, including 1,342 enrolled as graduate students, including 101 Biblical Seminary students. A total of 791 students are enrolled in traditional undergraduate programs and 756 in bachelor’s degree completion programs.

The university reported a 1% drop in overall enrollment, down just 30 enrolled students when compared to last year’s enrollment total of 2,919. Graduate student numbers, however, have risen, adding 37 students compared to last year’s graduate enrollment of 1,305.

“As we look ahead, we are already at work recruiting next year’s spring and fall classes,” said Brad Camilleri, vice president of enrollment management.

The graduate and seminary programs’ 379 new students combined with 963 returning students surpassed the university’s goals, according to Camilleri, who added that most of FPU’s growth stemmed from its new Master of Social Work and Master of Science in Nursing and M.A. in Educational Administrative Services courses.

The two programs increased in size by 2.8%.

The university saw declines in both their bachelor’s degree completion and traditional undergraduate enrollment programs, noting a 4% drop in bachelor’s degree completion programs.

The 276 new and 515 returning undergraduate students reflected a drop in enrollment following a 10%, crediting the drop in enrollment to the U.S. Department of Education’s mismanagement of financial aid processing.

Camilleri said that despite the university receiving a suitable amount of financial aid applications to meet its goal and accurate financial aid estimates, the total undergraduate enrollment numbers dipped from last year’s numbers.

“We are currently studying the results of an admitted student survey to learn more about what we can do to turn this around,” Camilleri said.