Franciscan University's Student Population: How Many Are There?

Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Ohio, United States. The university has experienced significant growth in recent years, with total student enrollment exceeding 3,800 in 2023. In 2022, the university enrolled 3,656 students, with 2,632 full-time students and 1,024 part-time students. The student body is predominantly white and Catholic, with a focus on integrating Catholic faith and academic excellence. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a strong reputation in theology, nursing, and education.

Franciscan University of Steubenville's undergraduate enrollment

The Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Ohio, USA. The university has experienced record-breaking growth in recent years, with overall undergraduate enrollment increasing annually for the past seven years. In 2022, the university had a total enrollment of 3,656 students, with 2,632 of those enrolled full-time.

In 2023, the university enrolled 3,750 students, 2,978 of whom were undergraduates. This number increased again in 2024, with the university welcoming its largest-ever incoming class of freshmen—over 770 students, or 812 according to another source. This large influx of students has caused the university to reach its physical capacity, requiring the conversion of a hotel into a dormitory to accommodate the new arrivals.

The university offers 40 undergraduate degree programs and 8 graduate degree programs. The student body is predominantly Catholic, and Franciscan University claims to have the largest number of students majoring in theology, catechetics, and philosophy of any Catholic university in the United States. In 2022, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations were Theological Studies (98 degrees awarded), Registered Nursing (50 degrees), and Elementary Education & Teaching (42 degrees).

The university's student body composition

The student body at Franciscan University of Steubenville is predominantly Catholic, with an overall enrollment of 3,656 students in 2022. The university has seen a consistent increase in its student population over the past decade, with 3,800 students enrolled on campus and online in 2024. The gender distribution among the students is fairly balanced, with 59.3% female students and 40.7% male students as of 2022.

In terms of race and ethnicity, the student body is predominantly White (69.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.2%), Asian (2.93%), Two or More Races (1.89%), Black or African American (0.93%), American Indian or Alaska Native (0.465%), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0.383%). The university also has a significant number of international students, with 2.46% of the student body comprising "Non-Resident Aliens."

The student body is comprised of both full-time and part-time students, with 72% enrolled full-time and 28% part-time. Among the full-time undergraduate students, the majority are White Female (42.3%), followed by White Male (31.4%), and Hispanic or Latino Female (9.98%). The graduate student population consists mainly of White Male (35.1%) and White Female (34.6%) students.

The university offers a range of academic programs, with 40 undergraduate and 8 graduate degree programs. The most common majors among the student body include Theological Studies, Registered Nursing, and Elementary Education & Teaching. The university also offers specialized programs such as Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies, History, Language & Linguistics, and Psychology.

The number of students enrolled in on-campus vs online courses

Franciscan University of Steubenville has seen a period of sustained growth in recent years, with record-breaking numbers of students enrolling. In 2022, the university had a total of 3,656 students enrolled, with 2,632 of those enrolled full-time. The following year, in 2023, the university enrolled 3,750 students, and in 2024, this number rose to 3,800. The most recent data from 2024 shows that the university's total number of students enrolled on campus and online has surpassed 3,800, with some sources giving the exact figure of 3,977.

While the number of students enrolled in on-campus courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville is not explicitly stated, it is possible to deduce an estimate by subtracting the number of students enrolled in online courses from the total number of enrolled students. In 2024, the university welcomed its largest-ever incoming class of over 770 students, and in the same year, the total number of students enrolled on campus and online was reported to be over 3,800. Assuming that the majority of this large incoming class opted for on-campus courses, it can be estimated that several thousand students are enrolled in on-campus courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

In contrast, the number of students enrolled in online courses at the university is likely to be significantly lower. While the university has not disclosed the exact number of online students, it can be assumed that it is a smaller portion of the total student body. Online courses may appeal to a different demographic of students who are unable or prefer not to attend on-campus classes.

The university's recent growth in student enrollment can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the university has a strong integration of the Catholic faith into its curriculum and campus life, which has proven to be a significant drawcard for prospective students. Additionally, the university has a high retention rate, indicating that students are satisfied with their experience and choosing to continue their studies at the institution. The university's academic excellence, unique programs, and affordable tuition may also contribute to its appeal.

In summary, while the exact numbers of students enrolled in on-campus and online courses at Franciscan University of Steubenville are not available, it can be estimated that the majority of the student body opts for on-campus courses, with a smaller portion choosing online courses. The university's recent growth in student enrollment can be attributed to its strong Catholic identity, high retention rate, and academic offerings.

The acceptance rate of the university

The acceptance rate at Franciscan University of Steubenville was 66.7% in 2022. This is calculated from the 1,637 admissions offered to the 2,456 applicants for that year. This acceptance rate is slightly lower than the previous year, 2021, which had a rate of 68.5%. The number of applicants grew by 8.82% from 2021 to 2022, while admissions grew by 5.95%.

The university's popularity is reflected in its record-breaking growth in student numbers. In 2023, the university enrolled 3,750 students, and in August of that year, it welcomed its largest-ever incoming class of first-year students—over 770 students. This large intake meant that the university had to open a new dormitory-style residence hall to accommodate them all.

The university's appeal is attributed to its strong integration of the Catholic faith into its academic programmes. The student body is majority Catholic, and the university claims to have the largest number of students majoring in theology, catechetics, and philosophy of any Catholic university in the United States. The university's high retention and graduation rates, as well as its low student-faculty ratio, also contribute to its popularity.

The number of students enrolled full-time vs part-time

Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Ohio, USA. The university has seen a period of sustained growth over the past decade, with overall enrolment numbers breaking records each year. In 2022, the university had a total of 3,656 students enrolled, with 2,632 full-time students and 1,024 part-time students. This means that approximately 72% of students enrolled at Franciscan University are full-time students.

The university's full-time student body is made up of a majority of female students, with 42.3% of full-time students identifying as female, compared to 31.4% male. The remaining students did not have their gender specified in the source. The majority of full-time students enrolled at the university are White (69.9%), with the second largest ethnic group being Hispanic or Latino (18.2%).

The university's total enrolment number of 3,656 in 2022 was a record high, and this number has continued to grow. In 2023, the university enrolled 3,750 students, and in 2024, this number rose again to over 3,800. This growth is reflected in the university's freshman admissions, with 772 students admitted in 2023, and over 770 in 2024, making these the largest incoming classes in the university's history.

The university's growth has been attributed to its strong integration of the Catholic faith into academic life, with one student commenting on how "the Catholic faith is integrated into every class available". The university's high retention and graduation rates also contribute to its positive reputation, with an 87% first-year retention rate and a 72% graduation rate.

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