Preliminary data for Stephen F. Austin State University shows encouraging trends across multiple areas, including enrollment, retention and student interest. The spring Showcase Saturday, which invites prospective students and their families to experience life as a Lumberjack, saw the highest attendance in the university’s history.
Last fall, SFA welcomed its largest first-time undergraduate class since 2017 — a milestone that contributed to the university’s highest fall-to-spring retention rate since 2016 at 92.3%. Additionally, early projections indicate that total undergraduate semester credit hour production for the 2024-25 academic year is expected to rise by approximately 4% after the summer session, marking the first undergraduate SCH increase in a decade.
“These numbers are a strong indicator that the work our faculty, staff and students are doing is making a difference,” said SFA President Dr. Neal Weaver. “More students are seeing the value of an SFA education, and once they arrive, they’re choosing to stay. That’s a testament to the engaging academic experience and supportive community we’ve built here in Nacogdoches.”
Interest in SFA is also on the rise. The university has received 2,000 more undergraduate applications compared to this same time last year. Additionally, the spring Showcase Saturday, SFA’s premier open house event, saw the largest turnout in its history with more than 2,800 attendees at the March 1 event. The event allows prospective students and their families to explore campus, connect with faculty members, and learn about academic and extracurricular opportunities.
“The record attendance at Showcase Saturday demonstrates the enthusiasm and excitement surrounding SFA,” said Dr. Kent Willis, SFA senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement. “We’re seeing more students and families eager to experience what it means to be a Lumberjack, and that engagement is translating into increased applications and interest in our programs.”
While these figures remain preliminary, they signal a positive trajectory for SFA as the university continues its commitment to student success and growth.
Applications are still being accepted for SFA’s fall 2025 semester. For more information, visit sfasu.edu/apply.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
By Christine Broussard, assistant director for strategic communications at Stephen F. Austin State University
