We are so excited to share that SEU is celebrating another year of record enrollment with 15,136 students enrolled for Fall 2026 — the largest enrollment in the university’s history! This milestone builds upon a steady and accelerated period of growth by which SEU’s enrollment has increased 43.7% (4,602 students) since Fall 2023.
SEU has also received notable rankings from sources like The Chronicle of Higher Education, U.S. News & World Report, and Niche. We believe these rankings reflect our present-focused and future-oriented mission to equip students to discover and develop their Divine Design.
A Growing & Engaged Student Body
Our growth is not just larger, it’s also deeper. SEU’s full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment has reached a record 11,868, representing a 49.3% increase since Fall 2023. The faster growth in FTE enrollment reflects students taking more courses and pursuing their degrees with greater intensity.
“Our record growth is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and to the incredible work of our faculty, staff, and leadership,” said President Kent Ingle. “We are seeing more students choose SEU because we have remained committed to making a high-quality, Christ-centered education more affordable and accessible for students from all backgrounds and stages of life.”
The Fall 2026 enrollment milestone continues a trajectory that has transformed SEU over the past 15 years. Since 2011, when SEU had approximately 2,500 students, the university has grown to nearly six times its size. During that time, SEU has expanded its academic offerings, added partner sites and new delivery models, and developed programs designed to meet the needs of students and the communities they serve.
National Recognition
SEU’s growth has also been accompanied by national recognition from sources like The Chronicle of Higher Education, U.S. World News Report, and Niche:
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The university was once again ranked in the top 1% of fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the nation by The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2026-27 almanac. The Chronicle also reported that SEU is the third largest producer in the U.S. of bachelor’s degrees in theology and religious vocations and the top producer among Assemblies of God-affiliated institutions.
U.S. News & World Report Rankings
For several years, SEU has been listed by the U.S. News & World Report as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. This year is no exception, as SEU was ranked in the top 47% for social mobility in the nation.
SEU also continues to be listed by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best National Universities, highlighting our commitment to excellent education and high academic standards.
Niche Rankings
Many degree programs out of the 120 programs SEU offers have been ranked as high performers by Niche. SEU was ranked No. 54 of 299 Best Colleges for Religious Studies in the U.S., with over 15,000 ministry degrees conferred, and No. 96 of 264 Best Colleges for Music in the U.S.
Along with our degree programs, SEU is also home to a thriving campus community, many aspects of which were also recognized by Niche. SEU ranked No. 25 of 61 Most Diverse Colleges in Florida and No. 456 of 1,466 Safest Colleges in the U.S., putting it in the top 36% for safety.
Expanding Access to Higher Education
Our steady and continued growth track shows SEU’s ability to adapt to meet the needs of all student types and the changing landscape of higher education as a whole. Offering innovative programs of all delivery types, particularly through the 200+ partner sites around the world, SEU provides students greater access to an affordable education wherever they live and work.
As part of its commitment to affordability, SEU held tuition rates steady for all students for the 2026-27 academic year, while continuing to provide financial aid and scholarship opportunities. In fact, 99% of traditional undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid.
“We are committed to stewarding this growth and continuing to innovate the pathways to higher education so that we can serve more students and help them pursue their God-given callings,” said President Ingle.
Learn More
SEU’s Record Growth
Master’s & Doctoral Degrees
Ministry & Theology Degrees
Music Degrees
SEU’s Online Learning
Accelerated Degree Programs at SEU
SEU’s Financial Overview
SEU Residence Halls
Student Life at SEU
Apply to SEU
SEU Rankings
The Chronicle of Higher Education
U.S. News & World Report
Niche
