Loyola welcomes the Class of 2029, including first nursing students

Loyola University Maryland is excited to welcome 1,170 new first-year and transfer students to the community for the Fall 2025 semester. The Class of 2029 was officially inducted into the Loyola community and pledged the Honor Code at New Student Convocation on Friday, Aug. 29.

Entering as members of the Class of 2029 are the first students enrolled in Loyola’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program who were selected from an applicant pool of more than 1,000. The innovative program, which is offered in partnership with Mercy Medical Center, is uniquely designed to integrate Loyola’s exceptional liberal arts foundation with a holistic nursing education, steeped in the Jesuit tradition of care and social justice.

“The Class of 2029 is historic in many ways, and we are honored to have these students join our Jesuit, liberal arts university community. They come from across the country and the world, bringing outstanding academic credentials,” said Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president. “We are also thrilled to welcome our very first cohort of nursing students as we officially launch our nursing program. These students, and this program, will have a profound impact not just on Loyola, but on our community for years to come.”

The Class of 2029 has excellent academic credentials, including the highest average GPA on record of 3.69, as well as the highest middle 50% SAT range of 1250-1360 for those who submitted scores.

The incoming class is comprised of 1,098 first-year students and 72 transfer students, the largest-ever transfer enrollment at Loyola. The total class size of 1,170 is the third largest overall new student enrollment in University history and represents a 17% increase in new student enrollment over last year.

The Class of 2029 was selected from an applicant pool of almost 12,000, representing a 10% increase over last year. This year was also the most selective admission cycle in over a decade with an acceptance rate just below 70%, reflecting the strength and competitiveness of this applicant pool.

Additionally, 43% of the incoming class identify as students of color, 21% are Pell eligible, and 21% are first-generation students. This reflects Loyola’s dedication to providing access to higher education for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

“Here at Loyola, we are honored to walk with you on this journey,” Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., president of Loyola, told the new students at Convocation. “Whatever adventures lie ahead, you will not encounter them alone. You have the opportunity to walk with people who believe in you, people who will accompany you, people who are deeply committed to your success.”

The Class of 2029 hails from 29 U.S. states, three U.S. territories, and 16 countries. Maryland is the most represented state, followed by New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and California. The incoming class also includes 28 new international first-year and transfer students, which is the second largest international cohort on record.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Class of 2029 to our Evergreen campus,” said Eric Nichols, vice president for enrollment management. “The growth in our applicant pool and continued increases in academic quality and selectivity are clear indicators that the Loyola experience is resonating with prospective families. We look forward to watching how the Class of 2029 will leave their unique mark on our campus.”

Jeffrey M. Lating, Ph.D., professor of psychology and Loyola’s Distinguished Teacher of the Year, spoke at the New Student Convocation. Lating’s primary research and clinical interests focus on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological first aid (PFA), treatment of the human stress response, training in peer support, and crisis intervention strategic planning.

“This is the heart of Jesuit education and mission: forming people who live not just for themselves, but with, and for, others,” said Lating. “This is why you are here!”

First-Year Fall Welcome Weekend will continue through Monday, Sept. 1, with a variety of events to allow new students to connect with their classmates and get acclimated to life on Loyola’s Evergreen campus.

This year’s common text for Messina is Happiness Falls by Angie Kim. Loyola faculty members, administrators, and students chose this book for its compelling mystery, strong narrator’s voice, and complex and nuanced exploration of the experiences of ability and disability, family dynamics, the immigrant experience, and more.