The Bellisario College has steadily increased the amount and number of scholarships it provides annually. It awarded approximately $1.9 million in scholarships to 668 students in 2024-25, an increase over the approximately $1.7 million to 559 students the year before. The median individual scholarship in 2024-25 was $2,500, an increase over the $2,031 median scholarship the year before.
The College’s Office of Academic Services advises resident students about course scheduling, as well as degree and graduation requirements for the five residential majors through personal contact, Zoom meetings, and email. Advising for students enrolled in the two World Campus majors is tailored to the unique needs of online learners and provided by World Campus, a separate university college.
The success of the College’s advising efforts is reflected in the outstanding four-year graduation rate. None- theless, the office is constantly evaluating its services and has taken steps to better advise students, including increasing the weekly contact hours each adviser has with students. The College has added two advisers since the last site visit even though the number of majors in the College has increased by only roughly 120 residen- tial students.
A wide array of student media, student professional organizations and other extracurricular activities are pro- vided by the College and the university. The College and university also support ideas that students have for starting their own media organizations.
The College’s three-member Office of Internships and Career Placement provides career counseling and em- ployment assistance. The staff holds individual meetings and group sessions with students. The office also puts on three communications career fairs annually.
The College’s enrollment has increased slightly from 2,609 students in Fall 2018 to 2,772 students in Fall 2024. During COVID, enrollment dropped slightly to 2,522 students in Fall 2020 but quickly rebounded. The first- year retention rate for the College’s entering class of 2023 was 95%, compared to 92.6% for all students at University Park. The College’s four-year graduation rate for students entering in 2020 was 84.3%, compared to 73% for all students at University Park – ranking it third among 12 colleges.
