Click here to read full ACU enrollment news release. 
Click here to read full McMurry enrollment news release.  
Click here to read full Hardin-Simmons enrollment news release.

By Loretta Fulton

McMurry and Abilene Christian universities enrolled record numbers of students for the fall semester, while Hardin-Simmons’ total enrollment dipped slightly but showed improvement in certain areas.

McMurry recorded its third consecutive year of record enrollment, with on-campus and dual credit high school students totaling 4,144. Of those, 2,900 are enrolled in McMurry’s Dual Credit Academy, while more than 1,200 are on campus. The Dual Credit Academy allows high school students to enroll in more than 20 college-level courses, a scholarship to McMurry, and a pathway to earn an associate’s degree while still in high school. 

“Our historic enrollment is a very clear message that more and more students, and their parents, recognize the value of a degree from McMurry University,” President Lynne Murray said. 

McMurry University

Abilene Christian University enrolled a total of 7,274 students (graduate, undergraduate, and online), marking ACU’s largest-ever enrollment. This was the eighth consecutive year for ACU to record a record enrollment. The total enrollment reflects an increase of 787 students or 12 percent over last year, 37 percent over the past five years and 60 percent over the past 10 years. 

“The high numbers we’re seeing this year, and for the past seven years, confirm that students are attracted to our unique offering: a world class academic education delivered in a Christ-centered community,” said President Phil Schubert.  

Enrollment at Hardin-Simmons University was down slightly, 1,631 students compared to 1,665 in fall 2024, but HSU President Eric Bruntmyer was encouraged by several statistics:

• New undergraduate enrollment, including transfers, increased to 453 students, marking a 1 percent rise from last year.
• Graduate enrollment is up to 379 students (an increase of 1 percent), with doctoral programs rising 4 percent.
• Health Professions enrollment grew, along with gains in Arts & Media and Theology. There was a significant jump in incoming business students for the First-Time Freshman cohort (17 percent to 24 percent)

Hardin-Simmons University

“What encourages me most is that the areas we can directly influence — new student enrollment, retention, persistence, and graduation rates — are all moving in the right direction,” Bruntmyer said. 

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene