Gateway Seminary announced Fall 2026 enrollment has reached an all-time high, with total enrollment climbing to 1,095 students — a 12.9% increase over Fall 2025’s 970 students. New student enrollment saw even sharper gain, rising to 338 students from 231 the previous year, a 46.3% increase and the largest incoming class in Gateway’s history.
“We are thankful for the increases in enrollment we are experiencing at Gateway Seminary,” said President Adam Groza.
“Many people at the seminary have worked hard to help us achieve this growth, but it is God’s blessing for which we are most thankful.”
Several factors are contributing to this growth. Nearly all of Gateway’s campuses across the Western United States grew in both headcount and hours sold. The seminary’s new Hawaii site launched this year with 24 students enrolled, accounting for 116 credit hours of coursework.
“We are thankful for the increases in enrollment we are experiencing at Gateway Seminary,” said President Adam Groza.
“The initial success in Hawaii is an exciting indicator of the need for contextualized theological education,” said Groza.
“Our partnership with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC) is the cornerstone of our expansion in the region; the results we are seeing are directly related to the longstanding strength and leadership of the HPBC.”
New students collectively registered for 1,698 credit hours in Fall 2026, nearly one-third of the seminary’s total credit hour count of 5,240, demonstrating the impact of an increased size class of incoming students. In-person credit hours system-wide increased significantly; 52% of the total credit hours were on campus in fall 2026, up from 42% in fall 2025.
“The arrival of new students at Gateway Seminary is always worth celebrating,” said Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services Kristen Ferguson.
“To have so many new students join us to prepare for a lifetime of ministry service is a humbling and joyful experience.”
Gateway Seminary continues to expand its reach through new campus locations and flexible online learning options, while maintaining its commitment to theological education rooted in Scripture and the doctrinal positions of the Baptist Faith and Message.
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