For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College enrolled 429 students for its fall 2026 semester, with full-time enrollment increasing by 15% and dorm enrollment increasing by 9%, according to Welch Provost Dr. Matthew McAffee.
“This year’s incoming class of new students at Welch College has brought renewed excitement to our campus,” McAffee said. “These students are eager to engage in the discipline of the mind in preparation for Christian leadership. Even though our overall headcount was slightly down because of scheduling issues at local high schools for dual enrollment students, we’re thrilled to see a significant increase in dorm and full-time students.”
At press time, college officials reported 168 dormitory students (24 of whom are graduate students), 47 commuter students, 44 non-residential graduate students, 78 Adult Studies/Online students, and 92 dual enrollment students. Full-time equivalency (FTE) was 306 students. Total enrollment statistics indicate students from 26 states, 1 U.S. territory, and 11 other countries.
“Enrollment increased from last fall’s numbers in every undergraduate and graduate category except dual enrollment,” McAffee said. “Full-time student enrollment was up 15%. This fall there were 29 fewer dual enrollment students, owing to scheduling issues at area high schools. Still, dual enrollment students took more courses this fall, making the number of dual enrollment credit hours registered for similar to last fall.”
“It’s always a blessing to have students back on campus, and this year, there are even more!” Welch President Matt Pinson said. “Sizeable dorm and full-time enrollment increases indicate another year of enrollment bounce-back. Last fall our on-campus ‘18−22-year-old’ number was 81. This year it was 80. So the trend is in the right direction. If we keep this up—especially in these areas of dorm and full-time enrollment—in three years we’ll be back to pre-pandemic norms, almost maxing out the dorms, as we did before the pandemic.”
“Students are enthusiastic about the year to come, and the spiritual atmosphere on campus is exciting,” Pinson said. “Our excellent faculty and staff are coming around these students with the kind of spiritual mentoring that has always been rooted in the college’s mission of educating leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life.”
For more information about Welch College, email recruit@welch.edu or visit the college’s website here. To give, click here.