Lipscomb University sets first-day total enrollment record, breaks freshman enrollment record for third consecutive year

First-day numbers also indicate record freshman-to-sophomore retention rate and 15% increase year-over-year in new graduate student enrollment

Kim Chaudoin  |  08/18/2025

As fall semester classes begin today, Lipscomb University is once again setting enrollment records. First-day enrollment numbers indicate the largest Day 1 total enrollment in university history with 4,840 students.

Contributing to this first-day enrollment record:

• the largest class of new freshmen in university history for the third consecutive year, with nearly 750 first-time freshmen and about 900 total new students joining the Bison Herd;
• first-day graduate enrollment numbers that indicate an 11% increase in total graduate enrollment, including a 16% increase in new graduate students, over this time last year;
• a record first-day freshman-to-sophomore retention rate of 87.4%;
• the largest number of new students to enroll Lipscomb Online programs; and
• the largest total number of military-connected students ever with 407 students. 

Final enrollment numbers will be available in mid-September following the university’s official census. Lipscomb administrators anticipate additional enrollment growth this semester, as several graduate program cohorts will begin in the next few weeks.

“It is exciting to welcome a record number of freshmen to Lipscomb for the third straight year and to celebrate other enrollment growth. Students across the country are drawn to Lipscomb’s Christ-centered mission, top-tier academics and commitment to spiritual formation,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “They know that Lipscomb is a place where students flourish and are part of a vibrant community that supports their holistic growth through the transformative experiences they will have here. I’m looking forward to a great school year together.”

The sustained enrollment growth over the past two decades highlights the university’s rising reputation as a top-tier, nationally recognized institution. Ranked the #13 Christian university in the nation by Niche.com and awarded a four-star rating in Money magazine’s 2025 Best Colleges, the school continues to distinguish itself as one of the country’s leading Christian universities.

“This year’s record-breaking freshman enrollment reflects the growing national recognition of Lipscomb’s academic excellence and the life-changing experiences students have here,” said Byron Lewis, vice president of enrollment management. “ The opportunities that come from being in Nashville, one of the top 10 cities for career opportunities and the #4 best city in the nation for college students and graduates, is also appealing to students. I’m excited to welcome this new class to Lipscomb and to see how they will flourish during their time here.”

The record first-day freshman-to-sophomore retention rate is also a significant achievement for the university.

“This milestone is more than just a number — it’s a reflection of the hard work of our students and the unwavering commitment of our faculty and staff as well as our Academic Success and Student Life teams,” said Brian Mast, senior vice president for student affairs. “Achieving a record first-day retention rate demonstrates that when we invest in student success from the very beginning, we create a community where students feel supported, connected and confident in their future here. This achievement inspires us to keep raising the bar on what it means to help students thrive.”

It is truly a great time to be a part of the Lipscomb University community. In March the men’s basketball team reached the NCAA tournament for the second time in school history and the university celebrated another record-breaking Day of Giving with about 4,700 donors giving over $3.1 million in 24 hours in February. Over the last year the university announced the launch of several new academic programs and partnerships developed to meet workforce demand in areas such as communication sciences and disorders, an online Doctorate of Pharmacy, anesthesiology assistant studies, early childhood education and teacher licensure as well as a nursing leadership credential program and a rural nursing initiative. Earlier this year the university announced its new Office of Innovation — LUInnovate and appointed its first Chief Innovation Officer, and this summer Lipscomb became one of the first independent institutions in the nation to offer campus-wide AI integration and access to robust, cutting-edge AI tools and training for all university students, faculty and staff.

Over the last year, Lipscomb University has also continued to climb in the national rankings, making its debut in the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. ranking this past fall, with a top 5 ranking in character development and student satisfaction. Lipscomb was also recognized for the first time as a Great College to Work For, with only 2% of institutions across the country having this prestigious designation. In addition, Lipscomb’s College of Education and the College of Pharmacy and Pfeffer Graduate School of Business were all recognized by U.S. News & World Report as being among the best in the nation. Lipscomb’s Honors College was named an ACTA Hidden Gem; the College of Business was ranked among the top 50 undergraduate programs in the nation for the ninth consecutive year and No. 1 in Tennessee by Poets&Quants for Undergrads in its annual Best Undergrad Business Schools 2025 rankings; and for the 13th consecutive year, the College of Education was recognized as one of the most effective teacher and leader preparation programs in Tennessee as it earned high marks on the 2024 Teacher Preparation Report Card released by the Tennessee State Board of Education. The 2024 Animation Career Review ranked Lipscomb #13 Top Bachelor of Arts in Animation Program in the US, #1 Top Private Animation School in Tennessee and the #39 Top Private Animation School in the U.S.

Located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb University is a Christ-centered community that is one of the few institutions in the nation offering educational pathways from age two through the doctoral level. Students can begin their journey at Lipscomb Academy’s SEED School and continue through a full spectrum of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs—making Lipscomb a unique two-year-old to Ph.D. institution. With an enrollment of more than 4,800 university students and over 1,400 at Lipscomb Academy, the institution is deeply embedded in the Middle Tennessee community, committed to shaping lives of character, leadership and service. Its rigorous academic programs are paired with life-transforming experiences, all guided by a mission to prepare students for lives of purpose. For more information, visit www.lipscomb.edu.