Meet the Class of 2030

Following a high-energy move-in weekend packed with mini-fridges, matching dorm decor and emotional “see you laters,” Saint Joseph’s University is buzzing with a brand-new wave of school spirit. On Aug. 26, the University came alive as the Class of 2030 attended their first official college lectures, transforming months of anticipation into day-one reality. 

“St. Joe's attracted the largest number of applications in our history, and it is so energizing to see this new group of incoming first-year and transfer students join our Hawk Hill community,” says Elizabeth Gatti, assistant vice president of undergraduate admissions. “I am genuinely inspired by the unique talents and diverse perspectives these students will add to our campus. I am eager to watch them make their mark here.”

This year's cohort reinforces Saint Joseph’s reputation as a destination for students from all corners of the globe. Between Lancaster and Hawk Hill, the undergraduate Class of 2030 represents 35 states and territories, and 6 foreign countries, with the highest concentration of undergraduate scholars arriving from the Netherlands, Ireland and Germany, alongside peers traveling from as far as Palau and Sweden. 

Inside the classroom and online, the undergraduate Class of 2030 is already diving into 80 distinct academic majors, with the most popular being nursing, business administration, pharmacy, food marketing and physical therapy. While the Haub School of Business continues to be a large draw — accounting for 42% of the incoming student base — this cohort is also showing strong interest in programs housed within the College of Arts and Sciences (25%). 

The incoming class extends well beyond Hawk Hill, and is joined by graduate students enrolled in programs including the University’s MBA, physician assistant studies program and clinical mental health counseling, and students in Lancaster studying nursing, radiography and diagnostic medical sonography, among other programs.

For Bucks County native Erin Blank, BS ’29, DrOT ’31, an incoming health sciences major enrolled in the accelerated DrOT program, sitting through those first days of classes validated exactly why she committed to SJU.

“So far my experience has been full of so many new memories and friends, but what really excites me is how deeply connected I already feel to my future career. I am so excited to be finding my place here at SJU!” Blank shares.

Beyond the syllabus, the transition to college life was made easier by the campus culture. Olivia Scheer, BS ’30, an incoming nursing student from Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, noted that the welcoming environment she felt during move-in carried into the first day of the semester.

“SJU instantly felt like my home away from home, especially within the nursing program,” Scheer says. “Transitioning into a demanding field can feel overwhelming, but the professors here genuinely want to see you succeed and are ready to support you every step of the way. Knowing that I have both an incredible community of friends and a faculty that treats us like future healthcare colleagues makes me so confident that I chose the right place to start my nursing career.”