DALLAS — Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) recorded its highest fall enrollment in seminary history, with 2,657 students enrolled for the Fall 2026 semester. The total surpasses the seminary’s previous fall enrollment record of 2,651 students, set in Fall 2023.
The milestone comes at a time of significant change across higher education and theological education. For DTS, maintaining enrollment at historically high levels reflects the seminary’s continued opportunity to equip students for ministry through a range of degree programs and ways of accessing theological education.
“Higher education in general and the seminary market in particular are in massive flux right now, so having stability and even a little bit of growth is a real blessing from the Lord,” said John Dyer, Vice President of Enrollment Services and Educational Technologies at Dallas Theological Seminary. “We always want to remember that it’s first and foremost the grace of God, not any one thing we’re doing.”
Enrollment leaders point to the breadth of DTS’s degree programs, delivery options, and the students it serves as factors that have helped the seminary maintain enrollment. Students pursue theological education in a variety of ministry and vocational contexts, both in the United States and around the world.
“Reaching a wide variety of people, training them for many ministry settings, and doing it around the world has kept us strong,” Dyer said.
DTS has also focused on helping current students continue their studies. Master’s student retention has improved over the past four years, with Enrollment Services pointing to student preparation and support, online and distance student resources, and scholarship opportunities among the contributing factors.
In addition, DTS continues to develop pathways that make theological education accessible to students in different circumstances. Recent efforts have included opportunities for students who begin with free theological courses through DTS to apply eligible coursework toward graduate study, as well as expanded partnerships with churches, ministries, and educational institutions. These partnerships can allow students to pursue theological education while remaining connected to their ministry and vocational settings.
For DTS, the enrollment milestone represents more than an institutional record. Each student represents an opportunity to fulfill the seminary’s mission of equipping godly servant-leaders for the proclamation of God’s Word and the building up of the body of Christ worldwide.
About Dallas Theological Seminary
Founded in 1924, Dallas Theological Seminary is a professional, graduate-level theological seminary offering master’s and doctoral education for a variety of Christian ministries. DTS equips godly servant-leaders for the proclamation of God’s Word and the building up of the body of Christ worldwide.
