Palm Beach Atlantic University Celebrates Fourth Consecutive Year of Record-Breaking Enrollment

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.(September 22, 2025) - For the fourth consecutive academic year, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) has welcomed its largest incoming classin the institution's 57-year history.

A total of 1,054 traditional undergraduate first-year and transfer students enrolled at PBA this fall, representing a 10% increasefrom the 958 who enrolled in the 2024-2025 academic year. This academic year, the university's overall enrollment stands at 4,271, up from 4,147 last year-a 3% increaseoverall. PBA's student body now includes students from all 50 states and represents 80 countries.

"We remain grateful to our faculty, staff, and supporters; their dedication to our mission of equipping students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly enables PBA to be a leading Christian university in Florida," said Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, PBA president. "This growth mirrors our continued focus on providing a Christ-first education to the next generation of leaders. We cannot wait to see how they grow at PBA, deepen their faith, and serve their communities."

This rise in student enrollment reflects increased demand for PBA's Christ-centered, whole-person education in South Florida-a region that has experienced rapid growth in recent years and offers an array of career opportunities in international business, health care, civics, and more.

"The growth we're seeing at PBA reflects the desire for a university that offers a rigorous, Christ-first educational experience," said Dr. Nancy Brainard, executive vice president of enrollment management and student life. "With an expanding, highly qualified applicant pool, our acceptance rate for fall 2025 shifted to 67.4%, underscoring an increasingly competitive environment for future students."

To accommodate the university's steady growth and improve the student experience, PBA launched its God-Sized Dreams campaign in 2022. Through the strategic campaign, PBA will further respond to market changes, expand academic programs, and build innovative spaces.

The first project under the campaign, the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall, is scheduled for completion in spring 2026. The second project-a 25-story residence hall-will break ground on Oct. 8, 2025 and will feature modern apartment-style living, spacious dining areas, fitness amenities, multiple gathering spaces, and an adjacent parking garage. Its construction will enable the university to house more students on campus and support the university's incremental growth.

To learn more about Palm Beach Atlantic University, visit pba.edu.

PBA Fast Facts

• A total of1,054 first-year and transfer undergraduatesjoined this fall, bringing PBA's overall enrollment to 4,271

• PBA offers over 100 different programsand pathways, complemented by its commitment to research & innovation and specialized credentials, one of which-the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-places PBA in the top 6 percent of global business schools

• Top undergraduate programsinclude nursing, biology, psychology, exercise science, marketing, elementary education, finance, pre-law and communication