A Growing University
Cedarville University Welcomes 17th Consecutive Record Enrollment
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CEDARVILLE, OHIO, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cedarville University welcomed a record 7,542 students this fall across its residential and online undergraduate, graduate and dual enrollment programs.
Fall 2026 enrollment represents a 3.8% increase from the previous year and marks the largest student body in Cedarville’s history. This is Cedarville’s 17th consecutive record enrollment since 2009 when approximately 3,100 students were enrolled. The university is grateful for continued growth as it seeks to faithfully steward each student and remain committed to its mission.
This year’s enrollment includes 1,289 first-year residential and online undergraduate students, 99 transfers and 1,633 new dual-enrolled students. Cedarville also reported an 88.2% freshman-to-sophomore retention rate. The national retention rate, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, is 79% to 81%. The total number of high school students enrolled in the university’s Christian school partner and online dual enrollment courses climbed to 2,367.
With 796 students in The Graduate School, enrollment increased 13.7% from the previous year. Cedarville offers more than 50 master’s, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs, including its two newest offerings: the Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts in Communication and Organizational Leadership. Last year, Cedarville also announced the launch of Cedarville Theological Seminary.
Growth is also occurring in Cedarville’s new online undergraduate programs, known as Cedarville Online. The university now enrolls 100 students in its online undergraduate programs, up from 62 students during the program’s first year.
Cedarville’s 10 online undergraduate programs include accounting, biblical and theological studies, communication, finance, information technology management, management, primary P-5 education, psychology, sport business management and smart start (general education). Students can enroll in these programs without relocating to the university’s Ohio campus.
“We are deeply grateful for each student God has called to Cedarville University to pursue a biblically faithful, academically excellent education,” said Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University. “While enrollment numbers are important, they are not our measure of success. Our highest priority is equipping these students to be skilled in their vocations and faithful in their ministries. We give all glory to God for what He is doing on our campus and will seek to be faithful stewards of every student He sends our way.”
Cedarville’s continued enrollment strength reflects the university’s expanding range of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, including rigorous health care programs in pharmacy, nursing, allied health and physician assistant studies.
“Students are looking for strong academic programs that prepare them well for their careers, but at Cedarville, that preparation goes deeper. Across our 175+ academic programs, students are being equipped to pursue their calling, serve others and honor Christ wherever He leads them,” said Janice Supplee, vice president for marketing and communications and dean of graduate studies.
White said the university is seeking to balance continued enrollment growth with its long-term institutional mission.
“Our focus is not only on short-term growth but also on long-term sustainability,” he said. “We are dedicated to ensuring that Cedarville remains faithful to our vision of being ‘for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ’ in all we do.”
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,542 students, it is among Ohio’s largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
Attachments
Mark D. Weinstein Cedarville University 937-532-6885 mweinstein@cedarville.edu
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