HU Enrollment Highest in 127-Year History

Huntington University has broken its previous enrollment record for the third year in a row. A total of 1,777 students are enrolled for fall 2024, up from 1,504 students in 2023 and 1,428 students in 2022. This is the first time in the University’s 127-year history that enrollment has surpassed 1,700 students. In 2023, the University shattered previous enrollment records by surpassing 1,500 students for the first time.

“What an exciting moment in HU’s history!” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “Students are joining the Forester Family from all over world and almost every state in the U.S. This 18% growth is directly attributed to innovative programs with national reputations. We are also thrilled to see our new dual and concurrent credit initiatives to reach Indiana’s high school students nearly triple their enrollment. This targeted growth should promote more Hoosier students to pursue education at the collegiate level.”

“This record-breaking enrollment is truly a testament to the incredible work and dedication of our admissions and enrollment teams,” said Susie Carr, assistant vice president for enrollment strategy and undergraduate admissions. “Our strategic efforts to connect with students both locally and nationally, particularly through targeted outreach and new initiatives, have paid off in ways we could only dream of. The success we are seeing is a direct result of the collaboration across all departments at the University. I also believe God’s faithfulness has been evident throughout this journey, and we remain committed to nurturing the academic and spiritual growth of every student who joins our Forester Family.”

With 1,266 undergraduates enrolled on HU’s home campus in Huntington, and 242 undergraduate students at the HU Arizona location in Peoria, Arizona, the University continues to be encouraged by the student populations in both locations.

At Huntington University Arizona, undergraduate programs in animation, film and graphic design drew an impressive 21% enrollment increase compared to last year.

Now in its second year, the Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree program in partnership with Indiana Tech and Parkview Health has increased to 59 students. The first ABSN cohort will graduate in October 2024. In addition, the animal health and veterinary nursing dual-degree program, which is in its second year of partnership with Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, grew by 50% this year on the University’s home campus in Huntington. Agriculture, animation, business, film and nursing continue to show consistent interest as majors to incoming undergraduate students. HU’s efforts in targeted graduate programs are also showing growth, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling degree programs.

“It is encouraging to see growth in Huntington’s graduate and non-traditional programs,” said Jeff Berggren, assistant vice president for graduate and online programs and university marketing. “The University has the opportunity to serve unique populations of adult students with programs such as the ABSN, the occupational therapy assistant to occupational therapy doctorate bridge, and the Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling. The MBA has just launched two new concentrations in non-profit administration and in international agriculture, which will expand the impact of the University.

“The traditional Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD program) is one of the oldest in the country and is celebrating 10 years of operation in Fort Wayne with hundreds of graduates in professional healthcare positions. Over 25% of those OTD graduates serve in the Fort Wayne region. However, the truly motivating aspect of this growth is that all our graduate and non-traditional programs reflect the Christ-centered mission of Huntington in a distinct and meaningful way.”

Students across the University hail from 64 of the 92 counties in Indiana, 38 states (including Alaska and Hawaii) and 32 countries. They represent all four corners of the United States, from Washington to Florida and California to Maine.

Minority students make up 24% of the 2024-2025 student body, which is an increase for the University. Indiana continues to be the biggest pool for students, with Arizona, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois also being significant contributors to the record growth.