Edward Waters University (EWU)—Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning and its first Historically Black College and University (HBCU)—has reached a historic milestone this fall, recording its highest enrollment in more than twenty years. Following the close of fall registration on Friday, August 15, 2025, EWU’s Fall 2025 enrollment stood at 1,210 students, marking a remarkable 30 percent increase since Fall 2019, when the institution enrolled 932 students. This sustained growth reflects the transformative progress underway at EWU and underscores the University’s rising reputation as a vibrant, resilient, and nationally emerging institution of higher education—one that is increasingly becoming a destination of choice for students seeking a premier collegiate experience.
“Edward Waters is widely recognized in many circles for its rich historical legacy—something we celebrate with great pride,” said EWU President and CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. “At the same time, our remarkable recent enrollment growth powerfully affirms our present-day vitality as a thriving and dynamic institution. We are increasingly becoming a true ‘destination university’ for college-bound students and their families, drawn by our expanding portfolio of high-quality academic programs, our dedicated and talented faculty and staff, and our unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience that prioritizes their personal, academic, and professional success.”
This historic overall enrollment achievement is further underscored by record-breaking new student enrollment figures across both undergraduate and graduate divisions. For Fall 2025, Edward Waters University proudly welcomed the largest incoming class of new students in its storied history, with a total of 587 new undergraduate students joining the institution. This milestone reflects the university’s strengthened recruitment efforts, deepened community and educational partnerships, and continued investment in student-centered academic and co-curricular programming. Complementing this unprecedented undergraduate growth, EWU has also achieved a remarkable surge in graduate student enrollment. Since launching its inaugural graduate degree programs in 2021, the university has realized a 316% increase in total graduate enrollment, now reaching 133 students. Fall 2025 also marks an all-time high in new graduate enrollment, with 105 new students matriculating across EWU’s four distinct master’s programs in Cybersecurity, Business Administration, Education Policy & Advocacy, and Public Administration. These programs have been strategically designed to meet evolving workforce demands while offering rigorous, mission-driven academic preparation for tomorrow’s leaders.
Together, these enrollment milestones signal EWU’s continued ascension as a dynamic and resilient institution, capable of thriving within the rapidly evolving landscape of American higher education. Indeed, over the past four academic years alone, EWU has enrolled more students than in any comparable four-year period since 2005. This sustained upward trajectory affirms EWU’s status as Florida’s rising HBCU powerhouse, reinforcing its critical role as a catalyst for social mobility, intellectual empowerment, and economic advancement for historically underserved communities. Notably, Edward Waters was recognized in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s top institutions for social mobility (ranked #25 nationally) —further underscoring its impact and national relevance. As the university moves forward under its strategic vision of becoming a national model for student success, innovation, and academic excellence, these historic enrollment gains represent both a milestone achievement and a springboard for the continued transformation of Edward Waters University.
Correspondingly, the university received over 11,850 applications for the current 2025-2026 academic year, which represented a 236% increase in total applications received by the university over fall 2019, evidencing an exploding interest from parents and students seeking to make EWU their higher educational home over the past few years. This year’s enrollment outcome is also indicative of substantial progress realized towards enhancing the retention and persistence of EWU students, as the latest overall enrollment effort indicates that the institution was successful in retaining and supporting the persistence of 75.3% of its students who were eligible to return from spring 2025 to fall 2025.
“The remarkable gains we have achieved are the direct result of the unwavering dedication, tireless work, and strategic collaboration of our cross-institutional S.E.R.T. (Strategic Enrollment and Retention Team),” President Faison continued. “This diverse and highly committed team represents the very best of EWU’s spirit of unity and purpose, working together across traditional silos to achieve a shared vision for our university’s growth.”
In addition, the overall competitive profile for this year’s newest collection of Tiger scholar students is equally notable, as the average grade point average amongst the entering EWU Class of 2029 is nearly a 3.0 (2.90), representing nineteen states and six countries. Moreover, this fall, the university is also excited to welcome its seventh consecutive cohort of high-achieving Tiger scholar-students who are members of the “Eta Cohort” of the EWU Honors Program. On average, this seventh iteration of dynamically talented and academically gifted Tiger scholars earned a 3.8 high school grade point average and includes two class valedictorians, as well as a student who earned a 4.39 grade point average.
“Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Jennifer Price, Vice President for Enrollment Management, and Mr. Kendrick Dunklin, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, the S.E.R.T. team worked hand-in-hand with the Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and the Registrar, while partnering closely with Academic Affairs, University College, and Athletics to achieve this truly momentous outcome,” said EWU President and CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. “What makes this accomplishment so special is the unity and commitment demonstrated across our campus. This was not the result of any single effort, but rather the collective determination of so many dedicated professionals working with a shared sense of mission and purpose to attract, enroll, and support our students.”
“Their collaborative efforts, innovative strategies, and relentless focus on student success have brought us to this historic moment—one in which Edward Waters has reached its highest total student enrollment in more than two decades,” Dr. Faison continued. “This achievement is far more than just a number; it is a powerful affirmation of the faith and confidence that students and families place in Edward Waters. It reflects the transformative power of an EWU education, the vibrancy of our academic and co-curricular offerings, and the bright and boundless future that lies ahead for our institution as we continue our upward trajectory.”
