College of Science and Liberal Arts Reaches Diversity Milestone, Enrollment Records

NJIT’s College of Science and Liberal Arts (CSLA) is reporting a milestone on the way to all-new fall enrollment records — the college now has more female students than male students for the first time in its 40-year history.

CSLA’s fall enrollment total of nearly 1,200 students represents a new high-water mark for the second consecutive year, with female student population jumping from 46% to 53% of the college’s total student population in that time, according to a report from NJIT’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE).

“I am extremely proud of our Fall 2022 enrollment figures, which align with the strategic plans of both the College and the University, and which underscore our commitment to NJIT’s mission and core values,” said CSLA Dean Kevin Belfield.

The new OIE figures tally with university-wide trends this fall. 

As reported in early September, NJIT is celebrating its largest and most diverse student body to date (roughly 12,000 students) — including the largest ever first-year class and the most female students (31%). 

Enrollment numbers have similarly risen across nearly all of CSLA’s 14 academic departments, most notably in the STEM disciplines — CSLA undergraduates pursuing STEM degrees are now more than 55% female. 

Among the key drivers of the college’s new enrollment and gender diversity figures include the biology department, which now accounts for nearly 30% of CSLA’s student body (60% female), as well as the college’s forensic science undergraduate degree program. 

CSLA’s forensic science program, which launched in 2019, now boasts both the third most students and highest percentage of female students (77%) of any degree program at the college.

“I think what makes this major so attractive to students is that forensics is an applied science that can result in a very meaningful career with a truly altruistic purpose — using science in the pursuit of justice to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent,” said David Fisher the forensic science program director, who has seen the program triple in enrollment since 2019.

“What is interesting is forensic science is one STEM field where women significantly outnumber men. This trend is being seen across the United States both in universities and in the workforce. I can only speculate as to why this is the case, but I think women will continue to lead the way in forensic science for the foreseeable future."

Meanwhile, as CSLA’s enrollment numbers have reached new heights, so has the academic bar for incoming students. 

CSLA’s incoming first-year students have recorded the highest average SAT score in college history (1382). 

“It speaks to the excellent caliber of CSLA students and demonstrates that enrollment growth and commitment to quality can be complementary, mutualistic endeavors,” noted Belfield.

The news continues an upward trajectory for CSLA’s despite the pandemic, particularly among prospective students — last fall, freshman applicants (approximately 2,500) climbed more than 15% from 2020 and 25% compared to pre-pandemic totals in 2019 (1,850).