SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Aug. 21, 2025) – John Brown University reached a record enrollment of 1,423 students on Wednesday, Aug. 20, when it welcomed 441 new students to the Siloam Springs campus for the start of orientation. The incoming class includes 374 freshman, 59 new transfers and 8 students returning after one or more semesters away.

For the third year in a row, incoming class numbers exceeded 435 students which, in addition to strong retention numbers, account for the record enrollment. Total enrollment in 2024 was 1,352 students.

“At a time when families are carefully weighing the value of higher education, many are intentionally choosing Christian universities like JBU,” said Ryan Ladner, vice president for enrollment management. “They see that JBU offers rigorous academics that equip students for professional success, integrated with spiritual formation. The fact that we’ve seen record numbers for three years running reflects the trust families place in JBU to prepare their students for both career and calling.”

The top five departments that incoming class students enrolled in are business, visual arts, nursing, engineering and teacher education.

JBU students represent 34 states and 51 countries.

Final enrollment numbers are officially reported after the 11th day of classes.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 1,910 students from 34 states and 51 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including business, nursing, visual arts, engineering, teacher education, psychology, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Fourteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling and cybersecurity.

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