Houghton University this fall will reverse a recent downward enrollment trend, receiving its largest incoming first-year class in the last six years.
The institution reported today that it is “thrilled” by the advancement, saying “this significant milestone is a testament to Houghton’s unwavering commitment to Christ-centered excellence in the classroom, playing field, residence halls and beyond.”
Over 35 percent of members of the incoming class, according to the University, will have the full cost of their tuition paid due to a new Founder’s Promise Scholarship, part of a series of efforts designed “to make a Christ-centered college education affordable for more students.”
The effort began in 2020, it reports, with a tuition reset which dropped tuition to its lowest level in 20 years.
The number of student increase wasn’t immediately provided. The State Education Department reports that in 2018-19, there were 254 full-time and three part-time first-time students, 296 and two in 2019-20, and 221 and three in 2020-21, the first year of the pandemic and the department’s most recent published data year.
The University says on its website that it had 815 undergraduate and 28 graduate students enrolled in the fall of last year.
Houghton President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., said that he “look(s) forward to welcoming each of our incoming students and families as they arrive on campus this fall,” adding that “whether embarking on a degree program in one of Houghton’s longstanding programs like English and education or studying in one of our newer program areas like cybersecurity and biomedical sciences, a life-altering, Christ-centered learning experience awaits them.”
Enrollment from a dozen countries
Students are slated to come from 28 states and territories, and 12 countries around the world. Over 30 Christian denominations also will be represented.
“Among Houghton’s founding principles was the idea that an excellent education is transformational for both the individual and their communities,” according to David Davies, University provost.
“Pursuing rigorous academic studies that meet the needs of our contemporary marketplace, grounded within a supportive, Christ-centered environment, remains a core commitment of Houghton today,” said David Davies, provost.
“In addition to their academic pursuits, these new students will have the opportunity to engage in a vibrant campus life, enriched by a variety of extracurricular activities, spiritual growth opportunities and community service initiatives,” he said.
Programs offered
The nationally-ranked Christian liberal arts and sciences college provides both in-person and online courses in more than 50 undergraduate programs, including science, healthcare, mathematics, computer science, law, business, education, ministry, equestrian studies, data science and biological sciences, together with graduate programs in business, education and music.
Applications for this coming year’s high school seniors will open on July 1.