The Class of 2028!

Hailing from 44 states and 25 countries, approximately, 1,600 freshmen are slated to begin their Seton Hall journey as the Class of 2028.

More than 25,700 students applied to be Pirates this year, only surpassed by the incoming class for Fall 2022. Although the size of this year’s class grew, Seton Hall has continued its tradition of academic excellence over the past decade with our academic profile continuing to rise year over year.

This fourth year of test-optional admissions allows for more student choice in sharing academic records and achievements. While only 29 percent submitted their SAT and ACT scores, the average SAT at 1316 was the highest on record as was the average ACT at 30. In Fall 2014, the incoming class had a 3.45 GPA score. Likewise, in 2014, the incoming class had an average SAT score of 1200, and an average ACT of 25.03.

The GPA, the reporting of which is not optional, continues to remain strong at 3.67, having risen over the past decade from 3.45 in 2014.

University of Opportunity

While sustaining academic excellence in its incoming class, Seton Hall has also held strong to its commitment to diversity in all forms and its commitment to the community and its students as a university of opportunity. More than 36 percent of this fall’s incoming class is made up of first-generation students (first in their family to attend college), while 33 percent are Pell eligible. More than 58 percent identify as students of color, and nearly 57 percent are female.

Seton Hall remains dedicated to its Catholic values as a diocesan university, open to people of all faiths, creeds and colors. The seeds of diversity at Seton Hall were planted almost from its founding in 1856, and the University continues to reflect the growing ethnic scope of its students and the increasing diversity of the Church and society it serves.

“We are so pleased to welcome this diverse and talented class.” said Alyssa McCloud, Ph.D., executive vice president for enrollment management and recruitment. “We take pride in continuing to elevate our academic profile, remain true to our Catholic mission and serve so many students.”

Upward Trend Despite Demographic Declines

The Class of 2028 continues the University’s upward trend over the last decade, experiencing an overall increase in applicants as well as class size and a strengthening of academic credentials.

This upward trajectory has occurred despite demographic declines in the number of college-age students in the United States and the downturn in enrollment experienced by many other private universities in the state and in colleges and universities across the nation overall.

Nationally, based on the most available data, undergraduate enrollment declined by more than 15 percent over the last decade while Seton Hall’s enrollment increased by 19 percent. For 2023, Seton Hall University has a 97 percent overall employment rate and a 99.6 graduate school acceptance rate.

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked 1,700 public and private colleges and universities in the United States (that primarily confer bachelor's degrees) for return on investment over the course of a graduate's workforce career.

The Georgetown research found that Seton Hall alumni can expect to reap an additional $1.4 million in earnings during the course of their career by virtue of their degree, which placed the University at 175 among the 1,700 schools – the Top 10 percent nationally.

In a recent ranking by PayScale Inc. ("the world's leading provider of on-demand compensation data and software"), Seton Hall was named among the top 12 percent of colleges in America for the mid-career salary of its alumni, $103,800. For the ranking, PayScale Inc. sampled data from more than 3.5 million full-time, degree-holding employees. The sample included 1,736 schools for people with only a bachelor's degree.

Meet Some of the Newest Pirates

Annapurna Saha is from Edison, NJ, and is enrolled in the B.S./M.D. program and will be studying biology. “I’ve always wanted to become a surgeon,” she said. She was drawn to the resources, professors and especially the class offerings.  The seven-year program with four years of undergraduate school and then three years of med school was also attractive. “I want to utilize my undergrad time to also explore my interests. I’m interested in some of the programs like DOVE (Division of Volunteer Efforts) and I think there’s a biology, pre-med kind of group.” Annapurna's mom, Maitrayee, shared her daughter comes from a family of doctors on both sides. “I wanted this for my daughter. Now my dream is becoming fulfilled.”

Roommate Deeya Kang is from Dublin, CA, and also is enrolled in the B.S/M.D. program. After falling in love with the campus on her first visit, she said, “People were so welcoming. It’s a small university, but it doesn’t feel too tiny. I like the environment. You can actually make connections with people.” Enjoying the four-year undergraduate timeline, she looks forward to having normal college experiences and participating in extracurriculars. A dancer, she plans to explore the dance programs, including SHU Taal.

Liandra Taylor is a nursing major from Newark, NJ, and was attracted to the close-knit community at The Hall. “I’ve gone to Catholic school my whole life and religion is something that’s really important to me.” A first-generation student (first in their family to attend college) and a student of academic promise, she was accepted into the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and attended the E.D.G.E. Summer Institute Program. “It was a great experience for me. I found my closest friends there and I was able to meet teachers and build relationships. I feel like I’ll also have the support that I need to help guide me throughout my journey here.”

James “Jimmy” Tecza is from Whippany, NJ, and is double majoring in Accounting and Finance in the Stillman School of Business. His parents and sisters all attended Seton Hall, and he has been coming to the school since he was eight years old. A legacy student, he said, “I kind of grew up with the University and became a big fan of basketball. Seton Hall was my top choice and I’m really excited.” Jimmy is looking to explore club soccer, intramural basketball and plans to check out fraternities in the spring. Sister, Laura, dad, Jim, and mom, Eileen, who works at the University, were excited to share in this milestone. Said Eileen, “We bleed blue in our family. We all continue to stay engaged with the University, and as a Seton Hall family, today is exciting.”

Freshman roommates Adrianna Violante of Hardyston, NJ, and Camryn Yarwood of Bridgewater, NJ, are both nursing majors. They became friends after being introduced to each other by their older sisters who also attended Seton Hall and were suitemates.

Adrianna expressed excitement on how her degree will help her to lead as a nursing expert in an innovative side of cosmetic medicine in one of today’s growth markets. “I have always loved makeup and cosmetics. I want to do Botox and registered nurses can administer it.” Legacy parents, Anthony and Joanna, are happy that their daughter is attending Seton Hall. “We’re so familiar with the University and what goes on. When we pull up to campus, we still feel home.”

Said Camryn, “I’m interested in geriatric nursing. I’m also going to try out for The Sapphires (Seton Hall Dance Team) and I want to do a volunteer opportunity, like the Great Minds Dare to Care Program.” Parents Craig and Christine, a Seton Hall employee, shared their excitement. Said mom, Christine, “The University is dear to my heart and it’s familiar and comforting.”

Finance student Darren Cashman from Denville, NJ, knew Seton Hall was for him the moment he stepped on campus. "I loved it. It felt like home. It was so welcoming," he said. "Both the experience and the connections I could make here, it had so many possibilities. I thought, I have to be here." He's looking forward to getting to know his professors and enjoying the overall college experience, including attending basketball games, and shopping for Seton Hall blue apparel to show his school spirit.

Kennedy Mayers, a student from Elmont, NY, majoring in international relations, chose Seton Hall because of its proximity to her home, the beautiful campus, and its ideal size. Her interest in international relations is driven by a desire to travel extensively for work. "I'm excited about meeting new people, making new connections, and just being able to figure things out on my own. It's going to be so different from being at home in high school — I'm ready!"

Categories: Campus Life