
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private Christian university in Greenville, South Carolina, with approximately 3,000 students. The university has existed since 1927 and has a history of segregationist policies. BJU did not enrol Black students until 1971, and from 1971 to 1975, only admitted married Black people. In 2022, the racial breakdown of BJU's student population was approximately 72% White, 7% Hispanic or Latino, 3% Asian, 2% Black or African American, 1% Two or More Races, 0.26% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.23% American Indian or Alaska Native.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total enrollment | 3,029 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,295 |
| Graduate enrollment | 84 |
| Full-time undergraduate population | 55% women, 45% men |
| Full-time graduate population | 38% women, 62% men |
| Total enrollment by race | 71.9% White, 6.95% Hispanic or Latino, 2.97% Asian, 1.74% Black or African American, 1.23% Two or more races, 0.258% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, 0.226% American Indian or Alaska Native |
| Full-time undergraduate population by race | 41.2% White Female, 34.5% White Male, 5.03% Hispanic or Latino Female |
| Full-time graduate population by race | 35.1% White Male, 29.7% White Female, 4.05% Hispanic or Latino Female |
| Enrollment at Bob Jones Academy | 1,100 |
| Percentage of Black students at Bob Jones Academy | 0.5% |
| Year Bob Jones University started enrolling Black students | 1971 |
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Bob Jones University's history of racial segregation
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private Christian university in Greenville, South Carolina. It was founded in 1927 by Christian evangelist Bob Jones Sr., who was concerned about the secularization of higher education and the influence of religious liberalism in denominational colleges. BJU has a history of striving to cultivate a biblical worldview and represent Christ and His Gospel, but it has also been characterized by segregationist policies and racial discrimination.
In its early stages, BJU conformed to the segregationist ethos of American culture, allowing institutional policies regarding race to be shaped more by cultural norms than by biblical principles. The university did not enrol any Black students until 1971, and from 1971 to 1975, it only admitted married Black people. This change in policy was influenced by a 1970 revision to IRS regulations that limited tax-exempt status to private schools without racially discriminatory admissions policies. In 1970, the IRS informed BJU that it planned to revoke its tax-exempt status due to its racially discriminatory admissions policy.
Following the policy change in 1975, the university began admitting unmarried Black applicants. However, BJU continued to deny admission to applicants engaged in or advocating for interracial marriage or dating. The university also imposed a disciplinary rule prohibiting interracial dating. In March 2000, then-university president Bob Jones III apologized for BJU's past racial discrimination and announced the lifting of the policy against interracial dating.
Today, BJU enrols students from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries, representing various ethnicities and cultures. The administration is committed to maintaining racial and cultural diversity and harmony on campus. However, the university's demographic makeup still leans heavily white, with Black students making up only 0.5% of enrolment in Bob Jones Academy, which serves students from preschool through 12th grade.
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Current racial demographics at the university
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private Christian university in Greenville, South Carolina, with approximately 3,000 students. The university has existed since 1927 and is known for its conservative and evangelical cultural and religious positions.
BJU has a history of racial segregation. It did not enrol Black students until 1971, and from 1971 to 1975, only admitted married Black people. In March 2000, the then-university president, Bob Jones III, acknowledged that the university was wrong in not admitting African-American students before 1971.
Today, BJU enrols students from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries, representing various ethnicities and cultures. The university's racial/ethnic breakdown is as follows: 71.9% White, 6.95% Hispanic or Latino, 2.97% Asian, 1.74% Black or African American, 1.23% Two or More Races, 0.258% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.226% American Indian or Alaska Native.
The undergraduate student body is split among 42 states, with 64.7% of students coming from out of state, and 6.36% from out of the country. The full-time undergraduate population is made up of 55% women and 45% men, while the graduate student population is 38% women and 62% men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at BJU is White, with 473 degrees awarded, followed by Hispanic or Latino with 41 degrees.
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The university's statement on race
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private Christian university in Greenville, South Carolina, with approximately 3,000 students. The university has existed since 1927 and has been characterised by its conservative and evangelical cultural and religious positions.
BJU's history has been marked by a commitment to cultivating a biblical worldview, representing Christ, and glorifying God in all aspects of life. However, the university acknowledges that it has not always lived up to these ideals, particularly concerning race relations.
In March 2000, then-university president Bob Jones III acknowledged that BJU had been wrong in not admitting African-American students before 1971. This policy was common among both public and private universities at the time. Jones also announced the lifting of the university's ban on interracial dating. Today, BJU enrols students from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries, representing various ethnicities and cultures.
BJU affirms that Scripture teaches God created the human race as one race, with the potential for great diversity. This diversity, sustained by God, is intended to incline mankind to seek the Lord and depend on Him for salvation (Acts 17:24–28). The university believes that true unity among humanity is found only through faith in Christ alone, transcending superficial divisions created by humanistic philosophies or political viewpoints (Colossians 3:11).
BJU acknowledges that it previously allowed its institutional policies on race to be shaped more by the segregationist ethos of American culture than by Scriptural principles. The university expresses regret for conforming to cultural norms rather than providing a Christian counterpoint, failing to accurately represent Christ's commandment to love others as oneself.
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The number of black students enrolled at the Bob Jones Academy
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private, Christian university in Greenville, South Carolina, known for its conservative and evangelical cultural and religious positions. The university has existed since 1927, founded by Christian evangelist Bob Jones Sr., who was concerned about the secularization of higher education and the influence of religious liberalism in denominational colleges.
BJU has a history of racial segregation, only admitting Black students from 1971 onwards. From 1971 to 1975, only married Black people were admitted, with the policy changing in 1975 to admit all Black students. This change occurred shortly before the Supreme Court decision in Runyon v. was announced. In March 2000, Bob Jones III, then the university’s president, stated on national television that BJU was wrong in not admitting African-American students before 1971.
BJU operates Bob Jones Academy, enrolling students from preschool through 12th grade. With about 1100 students, the school's demographic makeup is predominantly white (90.3%), with Black students making up 0.5% of enrollment. This translates to approximately 5 to 6 Black students enrolled at the academy.
While the exact number of Black students enrolled at Bob Jones Academy is unclear, the low percentage of Black students indicates a lack of racial diversity within the school. This reflects a broader trend within BJU, with the university's undergraduate and graduate student population being predominantly White (71.9%) as of 2022.
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The number of black students enrolled at the university in 2022
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private Christian university in Greenville, South Carolina, with approximately 3,000 students. The university has a history of racial segregation and did not enrol Black students until 1971. From 1971 to 1975, BJU only admitted married Black couples. In 2000, the then-university president, Bob Jones III, acknowledged that the university was wrong in not admitting African-American students before 1971.
BJU's website states that the university enrols students from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries, representing various ethnicities and cultures. However, it does not provide specific data on the racial breakdown of its student population.
According to Wikipedia, the demographic makeup of BJU leans heavily white (90.3%), with Black students making up only 0.5% of enrolment. This information is from a 2011 report and may not reflect the current demographics of the university.
As of 2023, Bob Jones University has approximately 3,029 students, with 2,295 undergraduates and 84 graduate students. However, there are no recent sources providing the exact number or percentage of Black students enrolled at the university in 2022.
While the university has made strides towards diversity and inclusivity, it is important to recognize its past failures and continue working towards creating a more diverse and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity.
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Frequently asked questions
Approximately 1.74% of the enrolled students at Bob Jones University are Black or African American. This amounts to around 53 students out of a total enrollment of 3,095 students in 2022.
No, Bob Jones University did not enroll black students until 1971. From 1971 to 1975, the university only admitted married black people. In March 2000, the university's president at the time, Bob Jones III, apologized for the university's previous position on national television.
Bob Jones University has approximately 3,000 students, with some sources citing a figure of 3,029 and another giving a figure of 3,095 for the year 2022.
The student population at Bob Jones University is predominantly white, with around 71.9% of enrolled students identifying as white. Other racial/ethnic groups include Hispanic or Latino (6.95%), Asian (2.97%), two or more races (1.23%), Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders (0.258%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (0.226%).











































