University of the Pacific has set another enrollment record with more than 6,900 students across its three Northern California campuses—the largest student population in the 173-year history of California’s first university.

This is the second consecutive year of record enrollments at Pacific while nationally enrollments at many colleges and universities are declining.

The new enrollment record of 6,944 students across Pacific’s campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco is nearly 200 more students than last year’s record high enrollment of 6,755 and represents a three-year increase of nearly 15%.

President Christopher Callahan attributes the university’s robust growth to a steadily increasing awareness of Pacific among prospective students across California, the nation and the world. Pacific students now come from 44 states and more than 60 nations on six continents.

“For many years, University of the Pacific was thought to be a ‘hidden gem,’ known to relatively few beyond Northern California,” the president said. “Today more and more students across disciplines are uncovering the gem that is Pacific, discovering the remarkable power of a Pacific education driven by our superb, caring faculty who build bonds with students that change the trajectory of their lives and often last a lifetime.”

The quality of a Pacific education is showing in national rankings. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal ranked Pacific No. 87 among the nation’s best schools and colleges—Pacific’s highest ever national ranking. That ranking is boosted by graduates’ earnings, which The Journal ranked No. 54 this year.

Much of the enrollment growth comes from new market-driven graduate programs such as the Master of Physician Assistant Studies in the School of Health Sciences, the university’s newest and fastest-growing college. A new building was opened for the Sacramento-based physician assistant program this year to accommodate demand.

“There is a tremendous need for health care providers,” said School of Health Sciences Dean Nicoleta Bugnariu. “Our faculty have designed programs to meet the needs of students who are answering the call to serve the health of our communities.” 

While enrollment in the health sciences and counseling psychology graduate programs increased, so too did professional degree programs in dentistry and law. Undergraduate enrollment—and the quality of those students—held steady in a highly competitive market.

“This year’s record-breaking enrollment is a testament to how well the university community collaborates with each other, with faculty, staff and university leaders working side by side,” said Vice President for Enrollment Strategy Chris Ferguson. “We will continue to build on our strengths and create new opportunities for future students to excel in their careers and lives.”

Ferguson said the diversity of academic programs is a major advantage for Pacific, bringing the intimate, personalized learning environments of a smaller college together with the choices of a major university.

“We are a comprehensive university with many market-smart degree options to attract students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels,” he said. Pacific offers more than 80 undergraduate programs and 50 graduate and professional programs across nine schools and colleges.

Pacific also is a national leader in serving as a driver of social mobility. The new Wall Street Journal rankings placed Pacific No. 36 among all U.S. colleges and universities for social mobility, and No. 8 among all private schools nationally.

Pacific serves an increasingly diverse set of students. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Education designated Pacific a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The university already was an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.

Callahan said he anticipates more steady growth next year as professors continue to create new academic programs and the university invests in expanding popular degree programs.

“Our strength and growth, which is going against many ominous national trends in higher education, is due to our inspiring faculty, dedicated staff and creative, collaborative leaders who always put the success of our students first,” the president said.