Total Enrollment Climbs to More Than 13,500 Students, the Most in a Decade
Saint Louis University’s official fall census is in, and the numbers are impressive. SLU has enrolled 8,437 undergraduates and 5,109 graduate/professional students for the fall 2022 semester — a total of 13,546 students, the largest enrollment at the University since 2012.
"This fall's strong enrollment demonstrates the value that students see in SLU's exceptional programs, dedicated faculty and staff, and distinctive Jesuit education," said University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. "We are committed to providing a rigorous education in a supportive environment that fosters learning and growth as whole persons, inspiring our students to make the world the way it ought to be."
With 1,658 students, this year's first-time, full-time freshman class is the fourth largest in the University’s history. SLU has welcomed record numbers of first-year students in three of the past four years. The Class of 2026 isn’t just large; it’s also academically gifted, with an average high school GPA of 3.93.
Consistent with its mission, the University is continuing its many efforts — including test-optional admissions — to make a SLU education more accessible. This year, 24% of first-year undergraduate students identify as underrepresented, 25% are first-generation, and 24% are eligible for Federal Pell grants that support students with exceptional financial needs.
SLU also has been reimagining ways to introduce master’s programs to international students and recruit them to join the campus community. As a result, new graduate enrollment has climbed by 28.6%, with steady growth in graduate programs such as artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, computer science and supply chain management, among others.
Knowing that young people are seeking experiences along with knowledge, SLU last year launched new virtual internships for prospective undergraduate and graduate students. The virtual internships allow them to join small cohorts to analyze and solve real-world business problems. This additional engagement with future students helped increase total applications by 19% this year.
“The collaborative work the entire community has put forth to recruit new students and continue to enroll our continuing students is to be honored,” said Kathleen Davis, vice president for enrollment management. “It takes everyone's attention to cura personalis to have the kind of impact on enrollment that we have experienced this year and are planning for the future.”
By the Numbers: Fall 2022 Enrollment
total undergraduate students.
total graduate and professional students
of first-year students who identify as underrepresented.
average high school GPA of this year's freshman class.
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