Spring Hill College Celebrates Enrollment Success

(Mobile, Ala.)  Spring Hill College experienced significant growth for first-time freshmen and transfer students for the fall 2022 semester. This includes an unprecedented growth of 7.7 percent for the new cohort of undergraduate students compared to last year.

National statistics indicate that college enrollment is down overall and that trend has continued despite returns to campus after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC), total postsecondary enrollment, including both undergraduate and graduate students, decreased by 4.1% – equal to about 685,000 students – in spring 2022 compared to spring 2021. The one bright spot to be found in the report is that first-time, first-year enrollment by undergraduate students increased by 4.2% last spring, resulting in a gain of 13,700 students. That increase compares to a decline of 3.5%, or 11,800 students, in spring 2021.

“This previous enrollment cycle was a good one for our enrollment team,” said Nathan Copeland, EdD, Vice President for Enrollment at Spring Hill.  “Seeing the way our admissions counselors and financial aid team stepped up and embraced a new vision and strategy was encouraging. Spring Hill College is on a trajectory of growth and we are committed to offering a highly regarded education that provides tremendous value,” he continued. “We’ve maintained this objective for almost 200 years and we look forward to seeing it through for the next 200 years.” 

The positive increase in enrollment is attributed to the College’s focus on providing a quality, affordability, and accessible liberal arts education that combines a tradition of excellence with Jesuit values. The college has also received national recognition for many of its award-winning degree programs including nursing and business. 

Spring Hill is also providing opportunities for nontraditional students to fulfill their goals of earning a college education. New corporate partnerships with companies like Ingalls Shipbuilding and the U. S. Coast Guard, make it easier for working adults to go to school. Partnerships with other organizations like the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, The Mobile County Health Department, and the Montgomery Chamber are expanding the scope of the college’s center for online learning.

New graduate degree programs such as a Master of Public Health and a Master’s in Nursing have seen continued growth. There are also new undergraduate degree programs that reflect current career trends including Supply Chain Management, Digital Marketing, Sport Management, and Entrepreneurship.

U.S. News & World Report’s Best College Rankings has ranked Spring Hill College No. 7 among Regional Colleges in the South. The College was also ranked No. 12 in Best Value and among the 100 Top Performers in Social Mobility. The College has continued to earn impressive rankings from Forbes Magazine and Niche.com, to top awards for its nursing and business programs, the College has earned these distinctions because of its commitment to preparing students through curriculum advancements, career development, and the value of its Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts degree.

ABOUT SPRING HILL COLLEGE:

Founded in 1830, Spring Hill College is the oldest Catholic college in the Southeast and the third oldest Jesuit college in the United States. Spring Hill combines the Jesuit tradition of excellence in education and a commitment to caring for the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – with innovative educational experiences. Located in Mobile, Ala., Spring Hill’s mission is to form leaders engaged in learning, faith, justice, and service for life. As a result, Spring Hill students are engaged, inspired, and transformed by their experiences.