University projects 16 percent year-over-year enrollment growth and recognition among the Top 100 private Regional Universities in the Midwest.
Avila University is entering the fall 2026 semester with strong enrollment momentum, continued expansion into new markets, and national recognition from U.S. News & World Report.
Overall enrollment is estimated to be 16 percent higher than at this point last year, with growth across every major area of the University: traditional on-campus undergraduate programs, adult undergraduate degree-completion programs, domestic graduate programs, and international graduate programs.
This fall’s progress continues a remarkable period of expansion for Avila. In fall 2021, total enrollment was 1,376 students. By the close of the fall 2026 intake periods, Avila’s enrollment could exceed 4,000 students, demonstrating the growing reach of the University’s mission and the strength of its evolving academic portfolio.
Avila’s new campus in Goodyear, Arizona, has already contributed approximately 250 students to the University’s enrollment, extending Avila’s mission into a growing region and creating an important new pathway for future students.
The progress reflects the extraordinary work of Avila’s admissions, enrollment, academic, student-life, financial-aid, and retention teams, along with the dedication of faculty and staff across campus. It also reflects a clear response from students and families who see value in an Avila education: personal attention, career-connected learning, a welcoming campus community, and flexible pathways designed for students at every stage of life.
At the same time, Avila has earned new recognition in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. The University is ranked #95 among private Regional Universities in the Midwest, placing Avila among the Top 100 private Universities in the region. Avila also ranked #25 among Regional Universities Midwest in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
Social Mobility recognition reflects Avila’s ability to enroll and support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and help them persist toward graduation. It is an especially meaningful affirmation of the University’s Catholic mission and its commitment to making a high-quality, career-focused education accessible to students who are prepared to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
“Avila’s growth is about much more than a number. It reflects the confidence students and families are placing in a University where they can find both opportunity and community,” said Dr. Todd Pfannestiel, President of Avila University. “At a time when people of all ages are looking for connection and belonging, Avila is intentionally creating places where students are known, supported, challenged, and welcomed. From Kansas City and Goodyear to online and hybrid learning environments, our mission calls us to meet learners where they are while inviting them into a community shaped by the values and charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the Catholic intellectual tradition, and Catholic social teaching. We believe education is strongest when it forms not only capable professionals, but also compassionate people prepared to serve others. That is how God’s unifying love takes hold: through a community that sees the dignity and potential in every person.”
This commitment to community is central to Avila’s distinctive approach. Across physical campuses, online programs, and hybrid learning environments, the University is creating connected and supportive experiences that help students build relationships, persist through challenges, and prepare for meaningful careers and lives of purpose. Avila’s enrollment momentum and Social Mobility recognition reflect the impact of an institution that combines access and flexibility with a deeply personal commitment to each student’s success.
Together, Avila’s enrollment growth, the early success of the Goodyear campus, and national recognition from U.S. News signal that the University’s strategy is resonating. By expanding access while remaining rooted in its Catholic mission, Avila is reaching more students without losing the personal, community-centered experience that has defined the University for more than a century.