Missouri State University-West Plains set a new enrollment record this fall, breaking 1,800 students for the first time in university history.
Final enrollment figures show 1,834 students were enrolled as of 5 p.m. Monday, the enrollment census deadline. That is a four percent increase over the record-breaking tally for the fall 2007 semester when 1,771 students were enrolled.
Of that number, 168 are taking classes on the Mountain Grove Campus, which saw a 15 percent increase in enrollment this year, and 29 are taking classes at the Houston Campus.
“This is a significant milestone for our university,” Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “It is especially impressive considering that it follows three consecutive semesters of double digit enrollment growth. Our growth has continued for four consecutive semesters, and now we have more than 1,800 students. This is extremely important for our community because the only way we are going to raise the economic level of the Ozarks is by raising the educational level of the work force. Investment in education is the best use of time and money that an individual or a community can make, and this record-breaking enrollment will provide a great return on that investment in the future.”
A preliminary breakdown of the enrollment numbers shows that continuing students accounted for much of the increase, with 779 students enrolled this fall compared to 655 in fall 2007. This is a 19 percent increase.
The university also saw a five percent increase in first-time freshmen this fall, with 443 enrolled compared to 423 last year. Enrollment in online courses grew, as well; 525 students are taking at least one of the web-based classes this fall compared to 469 in fall 2007. This is a 12 percent increase.
Figures for Missouri State University’s Academic Outreach program at the West Plains campus show 159 students are enrolled this fall in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered locally through that office. In fall 2007, 128 students were enrolled.
When the Academic Outreach figure is added to Missouri State-West Plains’ enrollment number, a total of 1,993 students are being served by Missouri State-West Plains.