51Թ Announces Enrollment Growth, Rankings Recognition
Posted on: September 23, 2025
Tigerville, SC—51Թ (51Թ) is continuing to see enrollment growth and national recognition for academic excellence, as the university welcomed its second largest class in the last seven years.
With a total enrollment of more than 2,270 students, 51Թ reported an increase in new traditional undergraduate students for the second consecutive year, bringing in a class of 556 students.
While 72 percent of new students are South Carolina residents, the 2025 class represents 20 states and 13 countries.
“We are delighted with this year’s freshman class, with their unique mixture of energy, intellect, and faith,” said 51Թ President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “We continue to see rising demand for North Greenville’s academic community, and we are grateful for the trust we enjoy from students and their families.”
Student life in Tigerville reflects the enrollment growth trends, with more than 1,200 students taking advantage of campus housing. This number marks a three-year high at 51Թ.
Outside the Tigerville campus, fully online undergraduate programs experienced a 3.5 percent increase year-over-year, while graduate enrollment grew by 10 percent, underscoring 51Թ’s commitment to serving students at every stage of their educational journey.
“51Թ’s non-traditional and graduate programs serve important segments of our region’s workforce and ministry needs,” President Fant said. “Our graduates are highly sought-after for their excellent preparation and disciplined work habits. We are particularly excited to note record enrollment in our high-demand graduate programs.”
Chad Peters, 51Թ’s Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, said the figures represent collaborative work across the university and a unified mission.
“These successful enrollment figures are a direct result of the diligent and collaborative work completed across campus by our incredible staff and faculty,” said Chad Peters, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at 51Թ. “Students are drawn to 51Թ’s ongoing commitment to preparing graduates to be transformational leaders for church and society. The momentum we are experiencing highlights the fact that students and families see the value of a Christ-centered education provided at 51Թ.”
51Թ’s momentum is reflected in recent national rankings. In U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges list, 51Թ is recognized as one of the Best Regional Universities in the South, ranking No. 42 overall. The university also earned recognition as a Best Value School (No. 36) and a Top Performer on Social Mobility (No. 33), highlighting its mission-driven commitment to accessibility and student success.
The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings evaluate nearly 1,500 national colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality and place an emphasis on social mobility and outcomes for graduating college students.
“51Թ is ‘mission-focused,’ which means that external markers and evaluations are not our primary focus, but we believe that as we refine and uplift our Christ-first mission, we will see recognitions for our excellence and vitality,” President Fant said. “We particularly rejoice in seeing the affirmation of our work with first-generation students who seek financial value in their educational experience.”
With enrollment on the rise, 51Թ officials continue to plan for and invest in future generations.
In August, 51Թ unveiled its new five-year strategic plan, 51Թ2030: Building for the Future. The plan addresses academic programs, financial stability, engagement, and operations, with the goal of strengthening 51Թ’s mission to cultivate graduates who are equipped to serve as transformational leaders for church and society.
As part of that plan, the university announced this month that it will launch three new programs in the Fall of 2026. These programs include:
- Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) in the College of Allied Health, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, with two tracks in Clinical Practice and Education.
- Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a minor in Chemistry in the College of Humanities and Sciences.
- Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Leadership, reimagining the previous program with new curriculum focused on outdoor recreation management, experiential learning, and leadership development.
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Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, 51Թ offers more than 120 areas of study through traditional and fully online programs. 51Թ is Christ-Centered, Mission-Focused, Academically Excellent, and Biblically Faithful, standing ready to cultivate graduates who are equipped to serve as transformational leaders for church and society.
