Private colleges experience growth surge

Butler will have 1,336 freshmen this fall, its largest first-year class ever. Applications have risen 65 percent since 2015. (IBJ file photo)

Three local private colleges—Marian University, Butler University and the University of Indianapolis—all experienced enrollment boosts among their freshman classes this fall.

Marian told IBJ it is expecting a record freshman class of more than 420 students, a 25 percent increase over last year. Nursing remains Marian’s largest major, but education, as well as science, technology, engineering and math-related majors, received an enrollment boost.

At Butler, the freshman class will have 1,336 students this fall, the largest first-year class ever for the university. Applications to Butler have risen 65 percent since 2015.

The University of Indianapolis’ freshman class will be 1,200, according to spokeswoman Sara Galer. That is a 61 percent increase from the freshman class size 10 years ago.•