News Summary
Jacksonville University College of Law has welcomed its fourth cohort of first-year students, the Class of 2028. This new class consists of 69 students, reflecting diversity with 39 women and 30 men. The enrollment has increased significantly, raising the total student population to 134. Notably, the cohort includes the first transfer student and a visiting student. Meanwhile, the University of North Florida plans to grow its enrollment by 50% and build new facilities to accommodate this trend, marking a transformative phase for higher education in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville – Jacksonville University College of Law welcomed its fourth cohort of first-year students, the Class of 2028, which began classes on August 11. The new class comprises 69 students, with a demographic breakdown of 39 women and 30 men, reflecting the law school’s commitment to diversity. This year’s cohort includes the law school’s first transfer student along with a visiting student, marking an exciting addition to the program.
The increase in enrollment brings the total student population to 134, a significant increase more than double the number of students compared to the 2024-25 academic year. Law classes take place at 121 W. Forsyth St., in Downtown Jacksonville, with the semester set to conclude on November 10, followed by final exams scheduled between November 17 and November 25.
Jacksonville University College of Law’s inaugural class, consisting of 13 students, graduated in May and recently completed the Florida Bar Examination on July 28-29 in Tampa. Results of that examination will be released by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners in late September, with many eyes on the performance of the first graduating class.
In addition to developments at the law school, the University of North Florida (UNF) is planning an ambitious expansion of its own, aiming to increase its enrollment by nearly 50% over the next five years. UNF has set a target student population of 25,000 by 2028 and is currently nearing an enrollment of 17,000 students.
As part of its expansion efforts, UNF plans to build a new 521-bed dormitory for honors students, marking the first on-campus housing development in 15 years. The new four-story, approximately 165,000-square-foot residence hall is set to open in fall 2025, with construction costs estimated at $14 million. This move is part of UNF’s broader strategic plan to boost both academic and public profiles, with aspirations of ranking among the top 100 public schools nationally.
Currently, UNF holds a U.S. News ranking of 129th, and the strategic plans aim to significantly improve this ranking. The university plans to enhance degree offerings in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, coastal resilience, data science, cybersecurity, transportation, logistics, health care, and health sciences. Additionally, the rapid growth of enrollment presents challenges as current faculty numbers may not keep pace, necessitating the hiring of at least 50 to 80 more full-time faculty members by 2028.
To support the target increase in enrollment of nearly 8,000 new students, which represents a 47% growth, UNF is implementing initiatives to improve average faculty compensation from $74,741 to $85,000 by 2028. Fundraising efforts are also a focus, with a target to generate $50 million annually by that time. Enhancing student retention rates, graduation rates, and median post-graduation wages are additional priorities outlined in UNF’s strategic plan.
As new construction projects are proposed or underway to accommodate the anticipated growth in student numbers, concerns have arisen among current students regarding larger class sizes and campus facilities. There is a noticeable demand for additional infrastructure, including parking, as the student body expands.
While UNF administrators have laid out ambitious plans to respond to market demands and improve degree offerings, the strategic plan will require the approval of the State University System of Florida Board of Governors before implementation can proceed. The ongoing developments within both Jacksonville University College of Law and UNF mark a significant evolution in the higher education landscape in Jacksonville, as both institutions strive to meet the needs of a growing student population.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Jacksonville University College of Law Class of 2028 Begins Classes
- Jacksonville.com: UNF Aims to Have 25,000 Students by 2028
- First Coast News: UNF Strategic Plan Calls for 25,000 Total Students by 2028
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
