by Mark D. Weinstein, Executive Director of Public Relations
Cedarville University continues its trajectory of enrollment growth, with a record-breaking freshman class for the 2024-25 academic year. Cedarville enrolled 1,176 freshmen this fall, surpassing the previous record of 1,139 set two years ago.
Cedarville’s freshman class grew 15.6% compared to its 2023 cohort of 1,017. Along with the 99 transfer students who enrolled this fall, growth in traditional undergraduate enrollment was further strengthened by an 89.4% freshman-to-sophomore retention rate. Cedarville’s undergraduate, degree-seeking population stands at 4,024 students, also a record for the University.
The University’s growth in undergraduate students coincides with continued expansion of its dual enrollment and graduate programs. The University now serves 1,752 dual-enrolled high school students--the most in its history--through its online, residential, and Christian school partner programs. The university welcomed more than 1,300 new high school students this fall and increased its school partnerships to 43 high school campuses in 12 states during the past year. Cedarville’s count of dual enrolled high school students grew 61% compared to fall 2023.
The Graduate School at Cedarville also reported a record enrollment this fall, with 590 students studying in approximately 30 online and residential master’s or doctoral programs. Its trajectory of growth in healthcare offerings now includes a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) launched last August and a master of medical science in PA Studies (MMSc), its two newest graduate programs.
Total enrollment at Cedarville University, including undergraduate, graduate and dual-enrolled high school students, is now 6,384, a 17% increase from last year's 5,456 student body.
“We are deeply grateful for the number of students who have chosen Cedarville University to pursue a Christ-centered education,” said Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University. “While enrollment numbers are not our primary measure of success, we are committed to preparing these students for their future vocations and ministries. We give all glory to God for what He is doing on our campus, and we will seek to be faithful stewards of every student He sends our way.”
As Cedarville embraces the growth of its student body, the university also remains focused on future expansion. For the past decade, Cedarville has positioned itself for growth, beginning with its campus master plan that led to the university's most successful fundraising effort to date--the One Thousand Days Transformed Campaign. This campaign has raised $155 million toward a $175 million goal, funding infrastructure improvements, student scholarships, and developing initiatives that will sustain the university well into the future.
Among the recent developments is the opening of the Pamela Diehl Johnson and Murray Murdoch residence halls, which together house 348 students. This is the seventh residence hall built at Cedarville in the past six years, a testament to the university’s commitment to providing a welcoming and accommodating campus environment for its 4,000 residential undergraduate students.
In addition to expanding its infrastructure, Cedarville remains committed to reducing student debt by raising scholarship funds. The university also continues to enhance the student experience by investing in its academic facilities, as evidenced by the recent opening of the $40 million Scharnberg Business and Communication Center.
“Our focus is not only on short-term growth but also on long-term sustainability,” White added. “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.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs. With an enrollment of 6,384 students in 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the university, visit cedarville.edu.