BATON ROUGE — Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University welcomed its largest incoming freshman class in university history this fall.

The university welcomed over 400 new students for the 2026 fall semester as the university continues to see growth across several academic programs, including Radiologic Technology, Biology’s Pre-Professional Human Medicine Track and its Accelerated Pathways.

Nursing at the university has also continued to grow, with FranU being recognized as the top accredited nursing school in Louisiana for 2026 according to allnurses. 

“Seeing so many students choose FranU is a reflection of the trust families and communities across Louisiana place in our university,” said Dr. David Bellar, president and CEO. “With 97% of our incoming students coming from Louisiana, we have an opportunity to prepare more graduates for the fields where they are needed most and, ultimately, to have them return that investment to the communities they call home.”

The university also continues to invest in the student experience with new programs and initiatives, including the Student Belonging Center, which provides students with a space to connect, gather and feel a greater sense of fellowship on campus.