CCU's annual enrollment surpasses 8,500
Despite logistical, health, and safety obstacles faced during an unprecedented global pandemic, Colorado Christian University has notched its 11th consecutive year of enrollment growth. As of the University's annual census date on September 9, CCU has a total enrollment of 8,579. This marks an increase of nearly 100 students in the total student population compared to 2019 and serves as a new high-water mark for enrollment in the University's 107-year history.
"The continued growth of Colorado Christian University is truly a testament to God's blessing, provision, and direction as we strive to provide Christ-centered liberal arts higher education, despite a global pandemic," said Dr. Donald W. Sweeting, CCU president. "It is also indicative of the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff during one of the most trying times in the history of American higher education. I'm so grateful to everyone who has worked so hard for this outcome."
The University's growth has been driven by strong enrollment numbers among all three core student populations: 1,417 traditional undergraduate enrollments, 5,565 adult undergraduate enrollments, and 1,597 master's and doctoral enrollments. While colleges and universities across the nation and around the world have seen double-digit percentage enrollment decreases in the wake of COVID-19, CCU continues to see strong enrollment numbers both on campus and online.
"For more than a decade, CCU has been providing world-class Christian higher education online. The global pandemic has made it more important than ever to maintain and grow our robust online offerings to meet the needs of tomorrow's leaders today," said Allison Burkhart, vice president of Enrollment for the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. "CCU Online is uniquely positioned to help students meet their education and career goals through high-quality instruction designed for the working adult. It is because of this stellar track record and the hard work of our faculty and staff that we continue to see strong enrollment numbers."
Within CCU Online, new student enrollment has been on an upward trajectory since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies currently offers more than 90 academic options including 33 master's program options and one doctoral program. Nearly all programs are offered 100% online and are designed for working adults.
CCU has also seen record enrollment in traditional undergraduate students in the College of Undergraduate Studies, despite a downward nationwide trend of residential collegiate enrollment. After moving all traditional undergraduate courses to remote learning in March, the University reopened its Lakewood campus to residential students in August for the fall 2020 semester. CCU is utilizing a high-flex model for traditional undergraduate education during the 2020-21 academic year. Residence halls and on-campus services are open and students have the option of attending all or a portion of their classes either in-seat or remotely.
"We've been blessed to be able to work collaboratively with our students to ensure a safe and productive living and learning environment in light of the current global health crisis," said Jim McCormick, vice president of Enrollment and Student Life for the College of Undergraduate Studies. "Implementing the high-flex model of instruction has allowed CCU to continue to cultivate our sense of community for students, faculty, and staff while maintaining the safety of all involved. A liberal arts Christian higher education is an invaluable resource that can be a generational instrument of change for individuals and families. Through this unprecedented time, the selfless dedication of our faculty and staff has allowed us to continue to train students to impact the world with grace and truth."
The College of Undergraduate Studies offers more than 50 program options for traditional undergraduate students in a distinctly Christian environment. The University's core curriculum has been ranked in the top 2% nationally for eight consecutive years by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) — one of only 22 institutions in the nation to earn an "A" rating in 2019.
University census data can be found online.