The 2025-2026 enrollment numbers for Fresno Pacific University show an increase from this time last year, led by growth in both the traditional undergraduate and graduate populations.
This fall, FPU welcomed over 1,200 new students, exceeding new student goals in every population.
“To have each student population exceed their new student goals is really exciting,” says Donald Norman, FPU president’s chief of staff. “We have the right team in place with the right tools available to them to continue to grow enrollment goals.”
Overall enrollment is 2,944, up from 2,889 last year. Traditional undergraduate students number 822, while 754 students are in bachelor’s degree completion (DC) programs and 1,368 in graduate programs (including 112 in Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary). Last year at this time there were 791 traditional undergraduate students, 756 in degree completion programs and 1,342 in graduate programs. The number of students overall increased by 1.9%.
“We are encouraged to see enrollment momentum across all populations,” says FPU President André Stephens. “It’s about so much more than just the numbers. Every one of these students is a life that will be transformed through the Christ-centered education we offer at FPU.”
Fresno Pacific announced in August the addition of Amanda Slaughter in the role of vice president of enrollment management. Slaughter brings nearly two decades of Christian higher education experience and will work alongside the teams in the good work taking place.
Traditional undergraduate
Some 326 new students began traditional undergraduate programs this fall, with another 496 students returning.
“For traditional undergrad, the team has done really well,” Norman says.
The traditional undergraduate population saw a 3.9% increase over last year’s numbers.
Graduate and seminary
Graduate programs welcomed 364 new students and 1,004 returning students, for a total increase of 1.9%. This is the largest graduate student enrollment in school history.
The graduate programs include those offered through Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. The seminary began in 1955 as the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary and became part of Fresno Pacific University in 2010.
Bachelor’s degree completion
Degree completion saw 206 new students, with 548 returning. Though the total headcount is virtually flat compared to last year, the total number of units taken is up more than 10%.
“For the second fall in a row, we’re seeing evidence that more students are taking more units,” Norman says.
This means students are enrolling in more classes, leading to stronger academic progress and students graduating in less time.
Fresno Pacific University remains committed to its mission of developing students for leadership and service through excellence in Christian higher education.
“As the Central Valley’s only accredited Christian university, we feel that we are in a unique position to impact students’ lives,” says Stephens. “We are always encouraged to see more students coming to FPU who will then leave equipped to impact communities locally and around the globe.”
Fresno Pacific University is California’s Central Valley’s only accredited Christian university, connecting every student’s untapped potential with unlimited opportunity for professional, personal and ethical growth. Nonprofit and independent, FPU offers more than 100 areas of study to about 4,000 traditional undergraduate, adult degree completion, graduate and seminary students at the main campus in Southeast Fresno and throughout the Valley at regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online.
