Baylor Announces Largest Enrollment in University History

Baylor enrolls second-largest and most diverse freshman class

Despite a challenging economy, Baylor University has enrolled 14,614 students, the largest overall enrollment in university history, according to official 12th-day enrollment statistics compiled by the Office of Institutional Research and Testing. The university also enrolled its second largest and most diverse freshman class.

Baylor's previous record fall enrollment came just last year at 14,541 students. This is the fourth consecutive fall that total enrollment at Baylor has exceeded 14,000 students.

Baylor's freshmen enrollment of 3,098 first-year students is second only to 2005, when a record 3,168 students enrolled at Baylor. This year's class represents only the third time ever that freshman enrollment has topped 3,000 students.

The standout statistic from this year's freshman class is the continued increase in diversity. Minority enrollment among Baylor's first-year students stands at a record 35 percent, up from last fall's record of 31 percent.

Over the last four years, Baylor's minority enrollment among freshmen has increased 62 percent, while enrollment among Hispanic freshmen has increased 82 percent, according to IRT statistics.

Demand for a Baylor education also continues to be strong, as the university received a record 31,000 applications for this year's freshman class. More high-achieving students were drawn to Baylor, with officials reporting an increase in the freshman class academic index, which measures the combination of a student's high school class rank with SAT and/or ACT scores.

Overall in fall 2009, Baylor has enrolled:

• 12,149 undergraduates,
• 2,299 students in the Graduate School and professional programs, including Baylor Law School, George W. Truett Theological Seminary and School of Social Work, and
• 166 students in Baylor/U.S. Army affiliated degree programs.

Media contact: Lori Fogleman, director of media communications, (254) 710-6275