
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3625, USA


Gallaudet University provides a range of athletic opportunities primarily through its intercollegiate sports teams, which participate in NCAA Division III competition. The programs emphasize inclusion and accessibility, catering specifically to deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. Students can engage in men's and women's basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as other sports that promote physical health and team collaboration.
Beyond varsity sports, the university encourages participation in club and intramural athletics, fostering a community atmosphere where students can develop fitness and social connections. Facilities on campus support these activities with spaces designed to accommodate the needs of students with hearing impairments, ensuring effective communication and safety during athletic events.
The athletic department also highlights the importance of leadership and teamwork, offering programs that prepare students for roles both on and off the field. Coaches and staff are experienced in working with the deaf community, creating an environment that is both competitive and supportive.
Gallaudet University offers a variety of student groups and associations catering to diverse interests. Among these are the Student Body Government, which represents the student population in administrative matters, and The Buff and Blue, a campus organization known for its activities and engagement. Additionally, students can join the Rainbow Society, which supports LGBTQ+ members, and Green Grow, an environmental or sustainability-focused group.
In terms of student participation, data indicates that 11% of men and 6% of women at Gallaudet University are involved in social organizations, reflecting a modest but meaningful level of engagement within the campus community.
Gallaudet University enrolls a diverse student body with a notable distribution in residency status. The number of in-state students is extremely low, placing the university in the bottom 5% nationally for this category. Conversely, out-of-state students represent a very high proportion, ranking in the top 5%, which suggests that the university attracts learners from across the country. Most enrolled students are from within the United States, reflecting a strong domestic presence ranked in the top 30% nationally. However, the university has very few international students, placing it in the bottom 30% for foreign representation.
Regarding new enrollments, the total number of freshmen remains modest and is considered low compared to other institutions, falling within the bottom 30%. Transfer student numbers are average but still on the lower side, positioned in the bottom 40% nationally. Combined, the overall new student entrants show average enrollment figures yet remain within the bottom 35% percentile, indicating a relatively small intake size.
The age profile of students varies between undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate students are predominantly in the traditional college age range, with the largest groups aged 18 to 24. There are also smaller but significant numbers of undergraduates aged 25 to 29 and 30 to 34 years. Graduate students tend to be older, mostly clustered between the ages of 22 and 49, with some even beyond 50 years old. This distribution reflects a blend of traditional and nontraditional students across different age groups.
Ethnic diversity at Gallaudet University is moderate. Hispanic, African American, and White students each comprise average proportions of the student body, all ranking roughly in the bottom 40% nationally, suggesting that the university has a fairly even but not particularly large representation of these groups. Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander students are present in smaller percentages, also reflecting average representation levels. Students identifying with two or more races appear in lower numbers, ranked in the bottom 30% nationally. Finally, a small portion of students have unknown ethnicity classifications, falling in the bottom 40% range.
Student life at Gallaudet University offers various opportunities for cultural and artistic engagement, including campus newspaper participation and drama activities. Students can also access the campus television station, although there is no campus radio, band, or chorus available. The campus supports student wellness with health clinic services and psychological counseling, contributing to a supportive environment for health and mental well-being.
Gallaudet University primarily offers access to a single main library, the Merrill Learning Center. This facility supports students with a collection of approximately 121,359 physical books, which places it in the lower 40th percentile when compared to other institutions. Additionally, the university maintains around 4,142 subscriptions along with a significant number of digital resources, including about 71,930 digital subscriptions and 547,506 ebooks, reflecting a moderate range of online academic materials.
The campus provides access to 79 databases, again situating it near the middle range among peer institutions. Students benefit from 90 weekly service hours at the Merrill Learning Center, which includes amenities such as study rooms and both physical and digital access to resources. Staff members are trained to assist users effectively, and there is access to shared collections beyond the single library available. However, the university does not offer all-day access to these facilities.
Total enrollment
1335Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
142Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
163 full time, 79 part timeVeterans affair office
NoMain library name
Merrill Learning CenterNumber of libraries on campus
1Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes