Fresno Pacific University sees overall growth during fall semester when it comes to enrollment

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — This fall, Fresno Pacific University saw overall growth when it comes to enrollment.

“The word I think, around campus, is ‘momentum.'” FPU President André Stephens, Ph. D. said.

Stephens says the university exceeded goals in every population with more than 1,000 new students.

“Another year out of COVID, and we’re seeing students really valuing higher education, and so it’s exciting for us,” Stephens said.

Undergraduate enrollment increased 3.9% compared to last year.

Graduate program enrollment increased 1.9% compared to last year, bringing the total enrollment to just over 1,000 graduate students.

That’s the largest in school history.

Enrollment for degree completion students, or those who transferred, remained flat compared to last year.

However, the total number of units those students are taking has increased 10%.

“Those units that they’re taking, more units that they’re taking, are because we have created a curriculum that works for students,” Stephens said.

In general, President Stephens believes opportunities for students and campus upgrades are helping to attract learners.

Earlier this year, FPU received a private donation to revitalize old classrooms with new carpet, furniture, and large whiteboards.

The school also received the largest gift in its history, $21 million from the King Richter Estate, to create endowed scholarships.

“So those are the things that, in addition to another year out of COVID, that it’s just really helping to make the campus attractive,” Stephens said.

In the spring, the university will launch an RN to BSN program as well as a minor in forensics.

President Stephens says he hopes to increase enrollment as the years go on, but more importantly, he says he hopes students leave the university better than they arrived.

“Super important to me that they’re not just getting an intellectual, a degree that’s just for their mind, but for us as a private Christian institution, for their heart — that we want to see their hearts transform,” Stephens said.

President Stephens says they are currently working on a long-term master plan.

Over the next 5 to 10 years, you can expect to see more academic programs, renovated buildings and a renovated campus.

For news updates, follow Jessica Harrington on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Copyright © 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.