Niagara University welcomed 578 freshmen and 131 transfer students to campus this week, representing a 7% annual increase in the number of new undergraduate students and reinforcing the university’s status as Western New York’s private institution with the largest enrollment.
The university’s graduate enrollment has also risen significantly, climbing 48% from 818 master’s and doctoral students for the fall 2020 semester to 1,211 this fall on its campuses in Lewiston, N.Y., and Ontario, Canada.
Niagara University’s commitment to making its outstanding education accessible is a key reason for its continued enrollment success. Niagara’s focus on its students’—and families’—return on investment has earned it recognition as the “Best Value” among all 73 colleges in the north by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024 survey of “America’s Best Colleges.” Niagara is also among the “Best Colleges in America” in delivering the most value for a student’s educational dollar according to Money magazine.
Niagara’s Accelerated Scholars program, a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree pathway, is just one of the opportunities incoming freshmen have to get a jump on their career and ultimately achieve their goals faster, with less monetary investment.
“The incoming class validates our success in providing an engaging, affordable academic experience, in creating career pipelines into high-demand jobs, and in integrating graduate education so students who want to pursue both bachelor’s and master’s degrees can earn them quickly and affordably,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University.
In addition, more students transfer to Niagara University than to any other private college and university in Western New York, due in large part to the dynamic and innovative transfer pathways and scholarships the university offers. These programs have once again earned recognition by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, which has named NU to its Transfer Honor Roll for the fifth consecutive year.
To support both new and returning students, Niagara has undertaken several facility enhancements and upgrades, including the Scott Bieler Institute for Ethical Leadership and Innovation. The state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing ethical leadership and innovation features a collaboration hub with a flexible technology-enabled space for teamwork and innovation; a classroom of the future, where students will be immersed in real-world ethical scenarios that simulate complex decision-making environments through the use of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI); and a high-tech computer lab with financial trading terminals and industry-standard business software.
Niagara has introduced new master’s degree programs in family nurse practitioner and nursing education, as well as a hospitality track in its MBA curriculum.
In April, NU was designated as a National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The program of study validated by the NSA is Niagara University’s Master of Science degree program in Information Security and Digital Forensics (ISDF).
In addition, a $150,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust funded the renovation of several areas in Glynn Hall into collaborate spaces where students can engage with peers and faculty.
“Creating welcoming spaces for students to gather between classes cultivates meaningful relationships among students and integrates them into their new learning community,” said Dr. Timothy Ireland, Niagara University provost and vice president of academic affairs. “By offering students a variety of study space settings—from quiet individual cubicles to collaborative group areas—we allow students to choose the most effective environment for their specific tasks and learning styles and foster their academic success.”
