Fact check: Why is Azusa pacific college shrinking in size. Less enrollment

1. Summary of the results

Azusa Pacific University has experienced dramatic enrollment decline over recent years, which directly explains why the institution is shrinking in size. The most striking data shows that APU's enrollment plummeted from just under 5,000 undergraduate students in 2018-2019 to just under 2,000 students in 2023-2024 ^[1]. This represents a 60% decrease in undergraduate enrollment over a five-year period.

The university has been facing significant financial challenges since 2018 ^[1], which coincides with the enrollment decline. These financial pressures have forced APU to take drastic measures, including:

• Sunsetting and reviewing select academic programs due to declining enrollments, with some majors having fewer than 14 students ^[1]
• Implementing cost-saving measures and developing strategic enrollment plans ^[2]
• Evaluating the financial viability of academic programs to optimize their academic portfolio ^[3]

The enrollment crisis has also resulted in a loss of around 500 traditional undergraduate students over the past five years specifically in that demographic ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial contextual factors that explain APU's enrollment challenges:

• National demographic shifts: The high school age pool is changing across the nation, affecting traditional undergraduate demographics ^[4]. APU is expecting a decline in the number of high school graduates beginning in fall 2025, which will create increased competition for a shrinking pool of prospective students ^[3].
• Broader industry challenges: APU is not alone in facing these difficulties. The analyses reference similar financial challenges at other Christian universities, such as Biola University experiencing employment cuts, enrollment drops, and debt ^[5], suggesting this may be a sector-wide trend.
• Positive developments: Despite the challenges, APU has maintained recognition in certain areas, with recent rankings in Money's Best Nursing and Education Grad Schools ^[6], indicating the university still maintains quality programs.
• Strategic responses: The university has been proactive in addressing these challenges through hiring a new president and developing comprehensive strategic plans ^[2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement contains no apparent misinformation, as it accurately identifies that APU is shrinking due to less enrollment. However, it lacks specificity about the severity and timeline of the decline. The statement could be seen as understated given that the enrollment data shows a catastrophic 60% drop rather than a gradual decline ^[1].

The phrasing "shrinking in size" might also be imprecise, as the analyses focus specifically on enrollment numbers and program offerings rather than physical campus size or infrastructure changes. The more accurate description would be that APU is experiencing severe enrollment decline leading to program consolidation and financial restructuring.