Graduate program gains lead enrollment at Fresno Pacific University

Growth in graduate programs helped Fresno Pacific University's overall enrollment picture for 2024-2025.

Overall enrollment is 2,889. The number of graduate students (GRAD) is 1,342 (including 101 in Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary), while 791 students are in traditional undergraduate (TUG) programs (including 42 part-time) and 756 are in bachelor's degree completion (DC) programs. Last year at this time the total was 2,919, with 1,305 in GRAD (110 seminary), 827 in TUG and 787 in DC. All figures come from the university's annual 11-day census report.

The number of students overall went down by 1%. "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.

Traditional undergraduate students are generally those 18-22 years of age coming to FPU straight out of high school or transferring from community college. Students-be they recent high school graduates or working adults balancing work and family responsibilities-may study at the main FPU campus at 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, as well as regional campuses in Merced, North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield as well as online.

Graduate and seminary

Some 379 new students began graduate/seminary study this fall, and 963 returned, for a headcount increase of 2.8%. "We surpassed our enrollment goals, and credit needs to be given to the admissions teams and the program directors," Camilleri said.

Most of the growth came from FPU's new Master of Social Work as well as the Master of Science in Nursing and M.A. in Educational Administrative Services. Teaching credentials and Master of Arts in Education degrees (including school psychology and school counseling) also attracted much student interest.

At Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, the number of new students grew over last year, with the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program accounting for half the incoming class with the other half being ministry students.

Bachelor's degree completion

Degree completion welcomed 180 new students and 576 returning students. The 4% decline is an improvement over the last five years. In addition, DC students enrolled in more classes this fall than last year, meaning more units were sold. Camilleri praised faculty and administrators for standardizing all DC classes at six weeks, as well as admissions and advising teams for helping students enroll in more units per student. "We have more work to do this year to continue to revitalize these programs, but we need to celebrate that we have halted the decline in degree completion," he said.

Traditional undergraduate

Some 276 new students entered TUG programs this fall, and 515 returned. While enrollment in this area entered this year with positive momentum from last year's 10% increase-the first in 10 years-the U.S. Department of Education badly mismanaged the financial aid application process for all students, Camilleri said. Even though FPU received enough financial aid applications to meet its goal, and the student financial services team did an excellent job with financial aid estimates, TUG headcount decreased from last year. "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.

Fresno Pacific University is continuing its commitment to spread its mission to develop students for leadership and service through excellence in Chrisian higher education. "If we are committed to creating academic and cocurricular programs, policies and services that are increasingly designed to serve the students of the Central Valley, we will advance the Kingdom of God in Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno, Merced and all the communities in between," Camilleri said.

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