Arizona Christian University (ACU) has announced record enrollment for the tenth consecutive year, reaching approximately 1,700 students across all programs in the fall of 2025. This growth is highlighted by the university’s largest freshman class to date, with 425 new students—a 16 percent increase over the previous high.
President Len Munsil, now in his 16th year at ACU, reflected on the institution’s progress since he began when student numbers were below 400. “We thank God for His continued blessing on ACU,” Munsil said. “We believe many American families are looking for an unapologetically conservative, Christian university – and they are finding ACU. As our visibility and academic reputation grow, we are attracting students from across America and around the world.”
The university’s traditional campus undergraduate enrollment stands at 1,134 students. Residence halls have reached full capacity with about 700 students living on campus—up from only about 200 residents seven years ago.
Growth has also been recorded in new master’s degree offerings, fully online degrees, and dual and concurrent enrollments. The student body now represents roughly 40 states and 30 countries.
Munsil noted that small class sizes contribute to an engaged community: “Our small class sizes and tight-knit community create a very engaged student population where nearly all ACU campus students participate in multiple extracurricular activities like NAIA athletics, student leadership and honors programs, music and theater, intramurals or pro-life, pre-med, pre-law, campus media and creation science clubs.” He added that spiritual development is measured by Dr. George Barna: “At the same time, we are seeing incredible spiritual growth among our traditional students. With world-renowned researcher Dr. George Barna measuring our students, we are seeing huge increases each and every year in their commitment to a biblical worldview – thinking and living like Jesus. That growth is happening because of the incredible dedication of our amazing faculty, staff and coaches to mentoring and discipling our students.”
Academic programs popular among undergraduates include business; education; biology (pre-med); psychology; behavioral health and family studies; communication; political science (criminal justice and pre-law); biblical studies; exercise science; and music. All undergraduates complete a minor in Biblical Studies as part of graduation requirements.
Graduates from ACU have gone on to study at institutions such as Harvard Law School as well as Arizona State University (ASU), Virginia law schools, other graduate schools https://www.chronicle.com/article/which-colleges-have-drawn-the-most-students-since-2012 ,and seminaries. The first cohort from its biology program started medical residencies this year—including one alumnus beginning work as a medical missionary in Burundi alongside his wife who will teach at a Christian school there.
Recent alumni have established businesses or nonprofit organizations focused on pro-life advocacy or anti-trafficking efforts while others have taken roles as teachers or coaches in various educational settings or pursued careers in journalism.
“ACU exists to transform culture with truth by educating and equipping Christians to be leaders of influence and excellence,” said Munsil. “Going from our largest graduating class last May to our largest incoming class this August, we continue to build momentum and increase our numbers of students who will provide much-needed biblical influence and character-driven leadership in our state, nation and world.”
