Linfield University announced its fall enrollment numbers Thursday, reporting an increase in graduate-level students and first-generation undergraduate students.
According to official statistics, Linfield enrolled 1,798 undergraduate and graduate students this fall on its McMinnville and Portland campuses and in its Online and Continuing Education program. This total includes a slight increase in students on the Portland campus, home to the Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing.
The number of people seeking a graduate degree increased to 36 students, up from 20 in fall 2020. Linfield admitted students to two new graduate degrees programs this fall, including a Master of Science in business and Master of Science in sports sciences and analytics. They join the Master of Science in Nursing, which made its debut in 2020 and was the first master’s degree offered by Linfield in more than 20 years.
At the undergraduate level, Linfield once again saw an increase in the number of first-generation students attending the university. Fall 2021 data shows an all-time high of 34% of Linfield students, and 36% of McMinnville students, being the first in their families to pursue a degree.
The demographics of Linfield’s first-year students this fall showcase the diversity of students entering the university. Among the 374 new undergraduates on the McMinnville campus, the percentage of students from underrepresented minorities rose to 22%, up from 20%, and the percentage of Latinx students is 20%, up from 18% in fall 2020.
Overall, the percentage of “new majority” students – that is, students who are the first in their family to earn a degree, receive a Pell Grant, are a U.S. student or color or are a transfer student – remains at above 60% of Linfield’s student body.
Linfield’s retention rate of first-year students remained flat at 81%, which is higher than the national average of 75.9% for private, nonprofit four-year institutions, as reported by the National Student Clearinghouse.
“Linfield will continue to seek ways to serve the “new majority” and expand offerings to those who are seeking a quality educational experience to help prepare them for a successful life,” Linfield President Miles K. Davis said.
