RUTHERFORD, NJ — At a time when first-year student enrollment in higher education is dropping nationally, Felician University’s is increasing. That’s just one of several areas where Felician is bucking trends, according to new data recently released about higher education enrollment trends.

Since fall 2022, Felician’s first-year student enrollment has increased an eye-popping 21 percent, while the national average has seen a decrease of 1.5 percent, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Felician’s graduate student enrollment has surged 39 percent in the last two years, while the national average has been only 3.1 percent, according to Clearinghouse data.

Among the reasons for Felician’s strong growth: the university quickly addressed challenges families faced with the delayed rollout of the new FAFSA (Federal Application for Free Student Aid), enabling families to know sooner what (if any) out-of-pocket expenses they would have. “This reduced uncertainty for families and showed how Felician is able to provide an elite education without the expense,” said Felician Vice President Priscilla Klymenko. “We’re also proud that 100% of our first-year undergraduates receive a scholarship or grant.”

Low-income and under-represented students and their families were particularly affected by the FAFSA issues. “As a Hispanic- and minority-serving institution, Felician knew these families’ needs, and how best to address them,” Klymenko said. First-generation and under-represented students make up more than half of Felician’s student population.

Felician has also made it easier for students – and more important, their credits – to transfer, resulting in a 91 percent increase in new transfer students over the last two years.

“We’re a hidden gem that’s not-so-hidden anymore,” said Felician’s new president, Dr. Mildred A. Mihlon. Mihlon has set an ambitious goal: to increase Felician’s overall enrollment from its current 2,400 to 3,000 by the year 2030. The university is adding programs for in-demand careers, enhancing offerings for adult learners, and expanding its winning athletics offerings.

For example, Felician has dramatically increased its graduate school offerings, including master’s degrees in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Data Science. The private institution, close to New York City but located in a bucolic New Jersey neighborhood, has seen growth in its Master’s in Education program, and in post-master’s certificates for school supervisors and principals.

Athletics help drive growth

Felician also has a growing – and winning – NCAA Division II sports program that has attracted athletes from throughout the world.

The number of student athletes at Felician has risen by more than 50 percent in the last two years. In addition to adding eight varsity and junior varsity sports, Felician athletics has been on quite the winning streak, securing eight conference championships since 2022.

Two of the newest programs – Women’s Indoor Track and Field, and Women’s Swimming – each won division championships within their first two years of competition.

Felician will be adding Men’s Swimming and Softball JV to its athletics offering in 2025. Other recent additions include Men’s and Women’s Wrestling, and Women’s Soccer JV.

“We take pride in discovering hidden gems—athletes and students with untapped potential ready to shine,” said Andrew Toriello, Felician’s Director of Athletics. “At Felician, you’re no longer hidden. Here, you’re empowered to rise, excel, and win.”

Klymenko said that, in addition to small classes, expert faculty and top-notch facilities, what draws students to Felician is the institution’s emphasis on values – respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity with people in need, and justice and peace. “We help people find and fulfill their purpose in life,” she said. “Plus, no one else has a castle on their campus. It’s something you have to see to believe.”

For more information or to book a campus tour, visit www.felician.edu.

###

About Felician University

Felician University is more than just an institute of higher learning. It is a community that inspires and engages over 2,100 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students through programs in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education. Our commitment to our students’ success is evident in our rankings and recognitions. Over the past five years, Felician University has consistently ranked 3^rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and has been recognized as the #1 Safest College Campus in New Jersey according to niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the thirteenth year, a testament to our strong support for Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, is a reflection of our inclusive and supporting environment. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, the Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu.