BU Celebrates Enrollment Growth

Graphic provided by Rampage student photographer Elle Gunter.

Bluefield University enrollment has climbed to its highest level since 2018 with online enrollment growing 38 percent and undergraduate on-campus admissions growing 24 percent from last fall to this fall because of BU’s Christ-centered community, expanding academic programs, and practical costs.

Higher education institutions are facing many financial and demographic challenges; however, BU is advancing. There are many reasons why students are choosing Bluefield University.

“I believe students are choosing BU because they value our combination of personalized attention, affordability, and a Christ-centered community,” said Travis Roberts, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing. “Traditional students are drawn to our close-knit campus, strong athletic programs, and the opportunity to connect directly with faculty.”

Roberts added that transfer students are finding BU appealing because of new partnerships with regional community colleges that make transferring credits easier and more affordable. Online students, he said, continue to choose BU because its “flexible, career-focused programs” allow them to pursue a degree while balancing work and family. Dr. Peterson shared his thoughts on BU’s growing enrollment numbers.

“When it comes to attracting new students, BU is focused on telling our story and spreading our Christ-centered mission and strong sense of community,” Dr. Peterson said. “We are adding new academic programs that prepare students for high-demand careers, both on campus and online. Our goal moving forward is to expand partnerships with schools, churches, and community organizations. We believe these strategies will help Bluefield University continue to grow.”

And while growing enrollment is something to get excited about, BU president Dr. Steve Peterson said retaining students is equally important.

“Student success is at the heart of everything we do,” Dr. Peterson said. “To retain current students, we are improving our support systems to help students feel connected. We are investing in tutoring services and expanding our academic advising. We are also creating more opportunities for student involvement in campus life, athletics, and service.”

Roberts said enrollment is not just about numbers.

“It represents momentum,” Roberts added. “2025 was a turning point for us, and we’re building on that momentum to make 2026 even stronger.”