QU’s freshman class of 307 students the largest in 30 years

QUINCY — Quincy University welcomed 307 freshmen to its campus this fall, a 33 percent increase over last year. It’s the largest freshman class for the school since 1992.

Enrollment at QU for the fall 2022 academic term is 1,250, which includes undergraduate and graduate students. That figure is an 8 percent increase from the fall 2021 academic term.

“At Quincy University, we have always told the great story of this Catholic and Franciscan university,” Quincy University President Brian McGee said in a press release. “In our recent efforts to reach prospective students, we have emphasized our unique commitment to student success inside and outside the classroom. I am pleased that our Success by Design program and other new initiatives at QU have been so favorably received by our students and their families.”

The class of 2026 comes to QU from more than 150 different high schools in 27 states and 14 countries. Most students at Quincy University come from Illinois and Missouri, as has typically been the case throughout the history of the school.

“My team and I are very pleased to welcome the largest new student enrollment in 30 years,” said Tom Oliver, vice president for enrollment management. “This incoming class brings diverse life experiences, perspectives and talents to our campus community.

“This year’s large new student class is evidence that QU provides one of the best values in private higher education. With our commitment to student success through QU’s innovative Success by Design education model and affordability through our generous scholarship programs, the university is able to make an exceptional education available to an increasing number of students.”

School officials reported the freshman class has an average grade-point average of 3.40 and an average SAT score of 1155. Sixty percent of the freshmen were admitted as test optional.