Photo from the President’s Convocation held on August 20, 2025.
Bluefield University reported its largest fall enrollment increase in years, led by record online growth and a surge in on-campus students.
Online enrollment in the first fall term grew 38 percent year over year, while on-campus undergraduate enrollment rose 24 percent. Both gains mark Bluefield’s strongest fall increase since at least 2018.
“Having students back on campus always brings life and energy,” said Kristen Parker, Dean of Students. “With the growing number of students, we’ve noticed it in the small, everyday moments, like seeing groups talking in the quad or enjoying activities together, as well as in our larger events, where attendance has doubled and even tripled at things like Welcome Back Bingo, Pool Night, and Food Truck Friday.”
Harrison Rice, Associate Vice President for Online Learning, said the university expects continued online growth in October when the second fall term begins. “Our eight-week terms allow students to start year-round, which keeps our programs flexible and accessible,” Rice said.
Bluefield will continue to expand opportunities through its long-standing partnership with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). This includes the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia (MHSA) program, which prepares students to become anesthesiologist assistants, as well as the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS). Together, these pathways underscore the university’s ongoing role in preparing students for medical school and other healthcare careers.
Bluefield is also investing in partnerships that make transfers from two-year colleges seamless. “We are working on new initiatives that will make Bluefield more accessible and allow students to complete degrees faster,” said Travis Roberts, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing.
Enrollment is now open for all terms, including October online programs and the spring and fall 2026 semesters for both in-person and online students. To explore programs of study and begin the application process, visit bluefield.edu/academics/programs-of-study