Enrollment continues to grow at Malone University

This was not only made possible by the hard work and dedication of Malone employees, but by the Institution’s extended network of alumni and community partners who understand the value of Malone’s Christian education in the professional marketplace.

At the start of the 2024 fall semester, Malone achieved a remarkable 7% increase over the incoming class of 2023 and a 14% increase over Fall 2022. These first-year undergraduate students have come from 16 states and 41 counties in Ohio, and not only demonstrate commitment to Malone’s mission, but to ways they will individually contribute to the campus community as well.  

“In the sixteen months I have been at Malone, I’ve been blown away by the strength of our community and their relentless efforts to support each incoming student as they pursue God’s calling for their lives,” said Eric Young, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management. “In a particularly challenging climate for smaller institutions, this growth is worthy of celebrating, and I am genuinely excited to watch this remarkable cohort of students flourish as they find ways to make their mark at Malone.”  

The significant growth achieved for incoming first-year students is particularly evident amongst those who attend Evangelical Friends Church – Eastern Region (EFC-ER) churches or come from the greater Ohio homeschool network. New student enrollments doubled this year from partner schools, including Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and Lake Center Christian School, compared to Fall 2022; both are the highest enrollment at Malone since 2019.  There is also continued strength in a variety of academic disciplines such as nursing and zoo & wildlife biology, and notable growth within other programs like exercise science, education, ministry, and criminal & restorative justice.

Malone’s graduate programs also reached a ten year high for students registered for Fall A Term. This historic accomplishment was possible as a result of innovative program enhancements, state grants, strategic partnerships, and relentless student support on the part of faculty and staff.  

Other noteworthy milestones for the start of the 2024-25 academic year include: 

• New faculty members representing the sport management, English, counseling, and education programs joined Malone over the summer
• Freshman-to-sophomore retention rate is the highest it has been since 2020, at 75
• The number of residential students increased for the first time since 2016

"I am both thrilled and heartened by our enrollment growth for this year's incoming class," said Greg Miller, president. "The world is in desperate need of the servant leaders that Malone University trains up, and our growth this year makes a statement to Canton, Stark County, the State of Ohio, and beyond that a Christian university education is still desired by—and I'd argue necessary for—our next generation's leaders."