The university enrolls roughly 6,000 students, including some 2,500 graduate students. The numbers of full-time and part-time undergraduates are relatively equal. Men greatly outnumber women, and about two thirds of the students are state residents. Approximately half of the full-time undergraduates live in campus housing, which consists of dormitories and apartment complexes.

Programs are conducted at the associate through the doctoral level. About 80 percent of the full-time faculty hold doctorates. The academic calendar is divided 4-1-4, which is two full semesters of four months each and a one-month term in between for concentrated study or special projects. Undergraduate programs are offered by the Schools of Arts and Sciences; Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Administration; Engineering; Public Safety and Professional Studies; and Business. Interested students can study off-campus at Albertus Magnus College. Internships are encouraged. About a third of the students pursue advanced studies within a year of graduation. The university's own graduate programs include such areas as business management and administrative services, psychology, engineering, environmental science, criminal justice, fire science, forensic science, industrial hygiene, computer science, and education.

Some 40 extracurricular activities are available to students, including fraternities and sororities, religious organizations, musical and theatrical groups, student chapters of professional societies, intramural sports, publications, student government, and the campus radio station. Varsity sports teams compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The school's colors are blue and gold, and the mascot is Charlie the Charger.