Xavier College Preparatory has historically sent approximately 15% of its students to Catholic colleges each year. However, that rate has been on the decline since 2024.
A recent major decline in enrollment occurred last year, with only 25 students enrolling in Catholic colleges, 10.2% of graduates.
Stacy DiStefano, registrar, was able to retrieve information about prior classes and how many attended Catholic colleges each year.
In 2022, an average of 14.7% of the senior class students decided to enroll in a Catholic college. This means 37 students enrolled out of 251. In 2023, this number increased, with about 46 students enrolling in a Catholic college.
In 2024, the decline in enrollment started to occur. About 35 students enrolled during this year, 13.4 % of graduates.
These percentages show a decrease in enrollment from the past two years.
Why is this number decreasing? It could be due to a few reasons, such as an increase in tuition costs or geographic location.
Another probable reason for this decrease is the affordability of in-state tuition at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University versus attending a private Catholic university.
DiStefano said that she believes the change in enrollment could be due to each student body class. She said that if many girls in that grade are interested in attending a particular Catholic college, they can influence friends to apply there as well.
So, why do Xavier girls choose to enroll in Catholic universities? Alexis Quintero, guidance counselor, said, “The Catholic schools are more caring. At a small school, like Creighton for an example, if you have something where you need help, it is right there. It is not like you have to dig for it; they have it right there to help you succeed.”
Quintero previously attended Arizona State University for her undergraduate degree, and is now attending Creighton University online, working with staff at this university.
Sarah Strickbine ‘26, is a current senior student at Xavier, who will attend the University of San Diego, a Catholic university, next year. “Continuing your faith throughout public colleges is harder to do due to everyone’s differing beliefs,” said Strickbine. She explained that being surrounded by other people who are of the same faith can help an individual grow in her religion.
Quintero also explained that going to a Catholic college can provide others with a sense of community and familiarity, since a majority of girls attending Xavier College Preparatory have attended a Catholic school for most of their lives.
With attending a Catholic school, Xavier girls are able to express and learn about their faith in an open and inviting way. The student body is used to this with Kairos and theology classes. Later when attending a Catholic college, the student is able to have a sense of safety and familiarity because her high school atmosphere may be very similar to the new setting.
“A lot of students like the familiarity of a Catholic college and have this sense of familiarity with them when attending an out-of-state college, which gives the student the best of both worlds,” Quintero said.
