October 21, 2003

Riverside, California – La Sierra University begins with a banner enrollment of 1,946 students, an increase of 188 students, up 10.8% from last school year, according to the Office of Enrollment Services at La Sierra University. This is the highest enrollment since 1981, and has expanded by 58% since 1999.

Freshman head count also increased by 30 students, along with the number of transfer students, which grew by 40. The largest percentage growth in graduate programs was in the School of Religion, with a 51% increase. The School of Education as well as the department of English grew in their graduate programs also.

“The dorms are bursting at the seams. Every room is full. We are making plans to expand student housing options for the next academic year,” says Gene Edelbach, Vice President for Enrollment Services at La Sierra University. “Overall graduate students increased by 29%, however all of the growth was in off-campus students. This is a new trend we will be pursuing in the coming academic year.”

Students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher increased to 18.06% of incoming students. This is an increase from 16.57% in 2002, and from 13.83% in 2001. Incoming ACTs remained constant; SAT Verbal scores increased from 489 in 2002 to 499 in 2003. SAT Math increased as well from 488 in 2002 to 495 in 2003. Overall, incoming freshman GPA’s increased from 3.26 to 3.28, the highest incoming freshman GPA since 1996.

“Incoming international undergraduate students also increased by 81%, not including English as a Second Language programs which also increased,” Edelbach adds.

Another 30% increase was in students transferring from other Seventh-day Adventist North American Division colleges.

“Students are adjusting to the increased population,” says Jennifer Tyner, La Sierra University Vice President for Student Life. “They are excited that more students are on campus but they are feeling the strain. We are strategizing to enhance space options.”