UJ Enrollment Reaches Record High, Doubles in 12 Years

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The University of Jamestown has reported the highest enrollment in its history, welcoming 1,842 students during the 2025-26 academic year—a significant increase from approximately 1,600 students the previous year and twice the University’s enrollment just 12 years ago.

The milestone reflects more than a decade of strategic growth at UJ, driven by continued investment in innovative academic programs, graduate education and flexible learning opportunities designed to meet the changing needs of students and the workforce.

“Reaching record enrollment is an extraordinary milestone for the University of Jamestown, but what I am most proud of is what these numbers represent,” said University of Jamestown President Dr. Polly Peterson. “Twelve years ago, we were a university of roughly 900 students. Today, we serve more than 1,800. That growth did not happen by accident. It is the result of a willingness to think strategically about the future of higher education, to innovate where we see opportunity and to remain deeply committed to providing an exceptional education that prepares students to lead with purpose.”

Graduate education has become an increasingly important part of that trajectory. In recent years, the University has expanded its portfolio of advanced degrees and online programs, creating new pathways for working professionals and students seeking specialized education in high-demand fields.

Those programs have extended the University’s reach well beyond its traditional geographic boundaries, allowing UJ to serve students across the country and throughout the world.

UJ has also grown its physical footprint. In Fargo, the University operates two locations serving students in its Doctor of Physical Therapy, Associate of Science in Nursing and Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing programs. In Phoenix, Arizona, UJ has established a growing health sciences presence, including its Pathologists’ Assistant program.

Together, these locations represent an evolving model for the University—one that builds upon the strength of its historic Jamestown campus while bringing UJ programs to new communities and strengthening its role as a comprehensive university.

“Our growth reflects a very intentional academic strategy,” said Dr. Paul Olson, Executive Vice President of the University of Jamestown. “We are continually evaluating where our academic strengths intersect with emerging workforce needs and where we have an opportunity to build programs of genuine distinction. Whether that means developing a new graduate program, expanding online access or establishing a presence in a community where there is a clear need, our goal is the same: to create rigorous, relevant educational opportunities that prepare students to lead in their professions.”

The record comes at a time when higher education institutions nationwide continue to navigate significant demographic and economic pressures. UJ’s response has been to evolve, identifying opportunities for growth, investing in areas of academic strength and expanding how and where students can access a University of Jamestown education.

Through that evolution, the University has remained grounded in the close relationships, academic rigor and commitment to student success that have long defined the UJ experience.

“Being among the best universities in the Midwest means continuing to ask what our students, our communities and our workforce will need next,” Peterson said. “We have been willing to lead, to take thoughtful risks and to invest in ideas that position the University for the future. Doubling our enrollment is an incredible marker of how far we have come, but it also gives us tremendous momentum for where we are going.”

About University of Jamestown

University of Jamestown is consistently ranked as a top regional university in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1883 as Jamestown College, UJ is a private, Christian career-oriented liberal arts University that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. At the bachelor’s level, students can pursue degrees in the arts, sciences, and nursing. The university also grants master’s and doctoral degrees in healthcare, leadership, and business. To expand access to its high-quality education, University of Jamestown launched UJ Accelerated, its online division, which delivers intensive upskilling opportunities to learners across diverse settings. For more information about academic offerings, campus life, and online programs, please visit UJ.edu.