ACU was ranked 17th in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities (West) in U.S. News & World Report.
As ACU kicks off its 109th year with 974 freshmen among the 4,427 total students, the site commends the school for its exceeding accomplishments.
Student enrollment has experienced immense growth over the years, and Kevin Campbell, chief enrollment officer, said this year’s group of students will be an engaging unit.
“Compared to last year, freshman enrollment is up 11 percent in our highest-ability students and down 14 percent in our lower-ability students,” Campbell said. “This should lead to a more engaged undergraduate student body and increased retention for next year.”
The vibrant, innovative community that engages students in spiritual and intellectual growth has added to the success and well-set reputation of the school.
Along with many achievements in the school’s departments, there have been new programs produced that are excelling in numbers.
“Twenty-four students are in the new M.S. in Occupational Therapy program, nine students in the new Dietetic Internship graduate certificate program conducted in partnership with ACU at CitySquare in Dallas, and 10 students in the new M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning program,” Campbell said.
For graduate students, ACU offers a variety of programs through its business and nursing school, among other academic programs.
“On the graduate side of the university, we have 777 students, a nearly six percent increase over last year’s total,” Campbell said. “That includes 314 new grad students, up nearly 37 percent from 230 in fall 2013.”
JP Festa, senior multimedia major from McKinney, said based on his experience at ACU, he believes bigger plans are likely to come.
“In the future, I think ACU will be much like it is today,” he said. “Some policies or buildings may change, but the heart of this university will remain the same. Thanks in large part of the Christian atmosphere created by the faculty and students.”
Aside from the many contributing factors to the university’s well-known success, the idea is to further plans and depth for the school.
“We continue to plan for growth across our campus as more academically advanced, mission-fit students are learning about and applying to join our community,” Campbell said.
