About ESU
Established in 1893 as the East Stroudsburg Normal School, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) has grown from its humble beginnings into a comprehensive institution, being one of 14 schools within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Through the years, its designation evolved: from a State Teachers College in 1927, to East Stroudsburg State College in 1960, and finally gaining university status in 1983.
Today, ESU proudly offers 58 undergraduate, 21 master’s, and 2 doctoral programs. The university’s spacious campus encompasses 258 acres with 57 buildings, including modern academic facilities, a 1000-seat dining hall, a dedicated fitness center, and eight student residence halls. An additional 46 acres in Smithfield Township cater to student housing. For outdoor enthusiasts and students seeking recreational activities, the Stony Acres off-campus facility offers 119 acres of natural beauty near Marshalls Creek, complete with a lodge, cabins, and a serene lake.
Further underscoring its commitment to academic excellence, the University features a state-of-the-art Science and Technology Center, equipped with modern classrooms, labs, a planetarium, and a rooftop observatory. Now under construction is ESU’s new University Center which will be an important centerpiece for the entire campus community. The four-story, 109,233 square-foot building will be home to the University Bookstore, a theatre, food court, an art gallery, event space, meeting rooms, conference spaces, and lounges.
ESU’s athletic program competes in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Athletic activities take place in and on a variety of campus athletic fields. The main outdoor athletic facility, Eiler-Martin Stadium, has an all-weather track, turf, lights and seating space for approximately 6,000 spectators. The LeRoy J. Koehler Fieldhouse is the main indoor facility featuring a track, pool, and weight rooms along with tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.
Strategically located in the picturesque Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, ESU sits 45 miles from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 70 miles from the hustle and bustle of New York City, and 90 miles from Philadelphia. This prime location ensures that students experience a harmonious blend of serene natural beauty while staying connected to urban conveniences.