Amid Nationwide College Enrollment Crisis, ACU Grows: Overall Enrollment Tops 1,700 for First Time
Amid Nationwide College Enrollment Crisis, Arizona Christian University Grows: Overall Enrollment Tops 1,700 for First Time
Arizona Christian University, named the 5th-fastest-growing of 543 baccalaureate colleges in America over the past decade by The Chronicle of Higher Education for the second consecutive year, continues to buck national trends, enrolling the most students in school history for fall 2026.
ACU saw continued growth in its master’s degree programs, fully online degrees and dual enrollment while maintaining a stable undergraduate program of more than 1,130 students at a time when most institutions, nationally and locally, are experiencing declining campus populations. All four of Arizona’s largest universities reported declines in traditional, on-campus enrollment this fall, according to Axios. Against that backdrop, ACU’s steady undergraduate enrollment and record overall growth stand out as a rare exception.
Overall, ACU crossed a new threshold this fall, surpassing 1,700 total students and more than 1,300 degree-seeking students for the first time in the university’s history. Total FTE (full-time equivalent) reached a new high of 1,410.
“There is growing momentum in our country behind universities that stand for biblical truth in a hostile culture,” said President Len Munsil, beginning his 17th year as ACU’s president, having started as interim president with a school of fewer than 400 students. “We continue to see pushback against secular, liberal indoctrination happening at many universities, including many self-described ‘Christian’ universities.”
The most significant growth came in ACU’s master’s, online and dual enrollment programs. ACU’s graduate student population grew by 21 percent since last fall, with flourishing programs in Education, Christian Leadership and a distinct Marriage and Family Therapy program committed to a biblical worldview. ACU’s online undergraduate program also grew, with full-time online students increasing by 10 percent since last fall. ACU’s dual enrollment program has grown from 10 students to 300 students over the past four years, as Christian high schools seek to partner with a trusted, conservative university.
ACU’s traditional undergraduate enrollment held steady this fall, a notable achievement as national enrollment data continues to show declines at liberal arts colleges across the country. ACU’s residence halls are near capacity, with about 700 students living on campus. Students enjoy updated and new facilities on its Glendale property, including a Career Services Center and new athletic fields — a turf baseball field, a soccer/lacrosse field and sand volleyball courts.
Popular majors include business, education, biology, biblical studies, psychology and exercise physiology. Other top programs include political science, communication, criminal justice and music. All ACU students are required to earn a minor in biblical studies (18 hours) and participate in a humanities-based core where they discuss the great ideas of Western civilization and the biblical foundations of America.
In addition to training pastors and missionaries, ACU is producing graduates in all areas of cultural influence:
- Recent ACU alumni are pursuing doctorates at elite law schools, medical schools and graduate schools
- Recent communication graduates are working for conservative newsrooms and policy organizations across the country
- Graduates have started businesses as well as pro-life and anti-trafficking nonprofit organizations
- Other recent graduates are serving as teachers and coaches in public, charter and private Christian schools
“ACU is not only producing graduates who are moving quickly into successful careers and leadership opportunities,” Munsil said, “but we have data from world-renowned researcher George Barna that proves our students grow dramatically in their biblical worldview.”
“When they arrive at ACU, they are largely thinking and living like their peers, but when they graduate, they are 28 times more likely to be thinking and living biblically than the average 22- to 24-year-old,” Munsil said. “We are the only Christian university in America that can prove these types of outcomes with data. Because these extraordinary results are just starting to become known to parents and families, we believe our greatest days of growth are still ahead.”
