Northwestern College has recorded the largest enrollment in school history, with 1,414 students enrolled this fall, up 107 from last year. The school’s previous record was 1,342, set in 2006.
Northwestern’s enrollment includes the largest freshman class since 2014. Mark Bloemendaal, vice president for enrollment and marketing, says many factors contributed to this increase. “Among them are the standout programs we offer and the amazing achievements of our graduates, the new DeWitt Family Science Center, our integration of faith and learning that distinguishes Northwestern from so many other colleges, and the sense of belonging students feel on campus.”
The enrollment figure includes a record number of graduate students. The college’s online Master of Education program, begun in 2015, has grown to an enrollment of 352, even as Northwestern officials are preparing to launch on-site master’s degree programs in athletic training and physician assistant studies next May.
“The graduate school, under the leadership of Dean Rebecca Hoey, has developed strong and affordable programs that are in demand and getting great reviews from students and graduates,” says Bloemendaal. “We are pleased that this is another way Northwestern is helping to prepare people from around the world to better lead lives of significance.”
