
Bob Jones University, a private Christian liberal arts university in Greenville, South Carolina, has a student population that varies according to different sources. While some sources estimate the student population to be over 2,700, others place it at approximately 3,000. The university has a history of conservative and evangelical cultural and religious positions, and its athletic teams are known as the Bruins. Bob Jones University's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities South, #17.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of institution | Private |
| Year founded | 1927 |
| Undergraduate enrollment (2023) | 2,477 |
| Campus size | 225 acres |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, South Carolina State Board of Nursing, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) |
| Tuition and fees | $24,470 |
| Academic calendar | Semester-based |
| Academic focus | Christian School with a Godly Biblical worldview |
| Student support | Teachers are readily available to help students with coursework, career, and personal issues |
| Extracurriculars | Athletic teams (the Bruins), fine art productions, concerts, dramas, recitals |
| Notable alumni | Billy Graham |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Bob Jones University has around 3,000 students
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private institution that was founded in 1927. The university has around 3,000 students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The campus size is 225 acres, and it offers a semester-based academic calendar.
BJU's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities South, #17. Its tuition and fees are $24,470. The university has a long history of supporting politicians who were considered aligned with racial segregation. From almost the inception of Bob Jones College, most students and faculty were from the northern United States, where there was a larger ratio of Republicans to Democrats.
BJU's student enrollment has fluctuated over the years. During the late 1950s, a dispute between BJU and alumnus Billy Graham led to negative publicity and a decline in enrollment of about 10% from 1956 to 1959. However, enrollment rebounded, and by 1970, there were approximately 3,300 students, a 60% increase from 1958.
BJU's athletic teams are called the Bruins, and they compete in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports. The university's nursing and engineering programs are accredited by reputable organizations, ensuring the quality of education in these fields.
Longwood University: Student Population and Campus Life
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The student body is 67% on-campus residents
Bob Jones University, a private institution founded in 1927, has approximately 3,000 students, with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,477 as of Fall 2023. This number has fluctuated over the years, with around 3,300 students enrolled by 1970, representing a 60% increase from 1958.
The student body is predominantly residential, with 67% of students choosing to live on campus. This percentage is significant as it indicates that the majority of the student population considers the university their primary residence. On-campus living provides a sense of community and convenience, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the university environment.
Residential life at Bob Jones University offers a unique experience that fosters a strong sense of community and camaraderie among students. With the majority of students living on campus, the university ensures that residence halls provide a comfortable and conducive living environment. This may include offering various housing options, such as dormitories, apartments, or suites, to cater to different student preferences and needs.
On-campus residents benefit from easy access to academic resources, such as libraries and study spaces, as well as close proximity to classrooms and other educational facilities. The university may also provide residential advisors or mentors to support students' academic and personal growth during their time on campus.
Living on campus also offers a rich social experience, allowing students to form lasting friendships and build a strong support network. Resident students can easily participate in extracurricular activities, student organizations, and campus events, enhancing their overall college experience. The university may organize social events, community-building activities, and opportunities for residents to connect and engage with one another.
Additionally, the university's on-campus housing options may include various amenities and facilities to support students' well-being. This could encompass dining halls, recreational spaces, fitness centers, and other resources to promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle for resident students.
Exploring University of Washington's Student Population
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$47.05

35% of students were homeschooled
Bob Jones University is a private institution founded in 1927. It has approximately 3,000 students, with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,477 in Fall 2023. Assuming 35% of these students were homeschooled, that would mean around 867 individuals. This is a significant number, and it is interesting to consider the reasons why these students may have been homeschooled and how their experiences differ from those of their peers.
Homeschooling is an educational approach where a child's parents lead their education or instruction is provided by a third party, such as a tutor. In the United States, it is estimated that 3% to 4% of primary school-aged children are homeschooled, which equates to around 3.7 million students. This percentage increases for children in the K-12 grades, with 6.73% receiving homeschooling. This variation in percentage may be due to homeschooling being a more common choice for older students, as they may have more advanced educational needs that their parents feel better equipped to handle directly.
There are various reasons why parents choose to homeschool their children. In 2019, parents of homeschooled students were asked to identify their motivations, and more than two-thirds selected concerns about the traditional school environment, such as safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure. Other common reasons included a desire to provide moral instruction, an emphasis on family life, and dissatisfaction with the academic instruction at other schools. By homeschooling their children, parents can address these concerns and create a more tailored learning environment that aligns with their values and priorities.
The impact of the pandemic also significantly influenced the growth of homeschooling. During the lockdown phase, US rates of homeschooling doubled, and even after this period, the numbers remained elevated above pre-pandemic levels. This suggests that homeschooling became a more widely considered option for families, and some may have continued it even as schools reopened. The flexibility and control that homeschooling offers may have been particularly appealing during a time of uncertainty and ever-changing circumstances.
It is worth noting that homeschooled students who transition to university have been found to achieve higher grade-point averages during their first and fourth years. This indicates that homeschooling can effectively prepare students for the academic challenges of higher education. The homeschooled students at Bob Jones University may bring unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to the diverse fabric of the student body.
Elite University Students: Constructing Boundaries
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The school's demographic makeup is 90.3% white
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private institution founded in 1927. The university has approximately 3,000 students, 90.3% of whom are white. This demographic makeup has shifted over time. During the late 1950s, a dispute between BJU and alumnus Billy Graham caused a decline in enrollment of about 10% from 1956 to 1959. However, enrollment quickly rebounded, and by 1970, there were 3,300 students, approximately 60% more than in 1958.
The high percentage of white students at BJU today may be influenced by various factors, including the university's historical support for racial segregation and the demographics of the surrounding area. From its inception, a majority of students and faculty at BJU were from the northern United States, where there was a larger ratio of Republicans to Democrats. This political dynamic may have contributed to the university's racial demographics, as Republicans have traditionally been associated with more conservative social and political views, including on issues of race and civil rights.
BJU's historical stance on racial segregation is well-documented. In 1960, Bob Jones Sr. delivered a sermon entitled "Is Segregation Scriptural?" which served as the university's position paper on race in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. In this sermon, Jones explicitly linked segregation and racial separation to God, stating, "If you are against segregation and against racial separation, then you are against God Almighty." This sentiment was reflected in the university's policies and practices, which contributed to its reputation as a supporter of racial segregation.
The university's location and surrounding demographics may also play a role in its high percentage of white students. Greenville, South Carolina, where BJU is located, has a significant white population. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city of Greenville is approximately 61.9% white, which is higher than the national average. The university's location in a predominantly white area may contribute to the racial makeup of its student body, as students from the local community are more likely to enroll, and the university may have a stronger appeal to white students from the region.
While the exact causes for the demographic makeup of BJU are complex and multi-faceted, the high percentage of white students, at 90.3%, is notable and may be influenced by a combination of historical, cultural, and geographical factors associated with the university and the wider community.
EMU's GED Policy: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Black students make up 0.5% of the student population
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private institution founded in 1927. The university has a long history of supporting politicians who were considered aligned with racial segregation. For instance, in 1962, Bob Jones Sr. warned the Greenville City Council that he had "four hundred votes in his pocket," and that he would have control over who would be elected. In a 1960 sermon, he stated, "If you are against segregation and against racial separation, then you are against God Almighty." This sermon served as the university's position paper on race in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
BJU's history and stance on racial issues are important to consider when discussing the racial makeup of its student population. According to estimates, BJU has approximately 3,000 students, and as of fall 2023, its total undergraduate enrollment was 2,477. While the exact number of Black students is not publicly available, if we assume that the undergraduate enrollment represents the majority of the student population, we can estimate that Black students, making up 0.5%, account for around 12 to 15 individuals. This estimation assumes a consistent ratio across the entire student body.
The low percentage of Black students at BJU may be influenced by its historical and ongoing associations with racial segregation and conservative ideologies. The university's founder, Bob Jones Sr., actively supported segregation, and this stance likely impacted the demographics of the student body, both historically and in the present day.
It is worth noting that the university has seen shifts in its enrollment numbers over the years. For instance, during the late 1950s, a dispute between BJU and alumnus Billy Graham led to a decline in enrollment of about 10% from 1956 to 1959. However, by 1970, enrollment had rebounded, with approximately 3,300 students, reflecting a 60% increase from 1958.
While BJU's current enrollment may be similar to its peak in the early 1970s, the racial demographics have likely changed, albeit slowly. The estimation of Black students comprising 0.5% of the student population highlights the ongoing racial disparities within the university's student body. This percentage equates to a very small number of Black students, indicating that BJU continues to grapple with issues of racial diversity and inclusion.
Emory University: Local Students or Global?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Bob Jones University, a private university in Greenville, South Carolina, has approximately 3,000 students enrolled.
No, the number of students has fluctuated over time. For example, in the late 1950s, negative publicity caused by a dispute with alumnus Billy Graham led to a decline in enrollment of about 10% from 1956 to 1959. However, by 1970, enrollment had rebounded to 3,300 students.
As of Fall 2023, Bob Jones University had a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,477 students.































