Sept. 28, 2021–Missouri Western State University has a total of 4,395 students enrolled as of the official census date after four weeks of the fall semester.
The university altered its academic calendar last year due to COVID-19, complicating year-to-year comparisons. This year’s enrollment is 1.74 percent higher than the enrollment in fall 2020 at the same point in the semester.
“These are challenging times, so it’s good to see a slight bump in our overall enrollment numbers compared to where we were a year ago at this time,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western’s president. “We’re pleased to see this growth in our student population.”
Missouri Western is seeing a significant increase in the number of high school students taking classes for credit through the Early College Academy. Also, the number of students taking classes in person is up significantly from a year ago. Enrollment in undergraduate classes that are 100 percent in-person is up approximately 19 percent over 2020 and freshman enrollment in 100 percent in-person classes is up 24 percent since last year.
“Students told us they wanted an in-person experience this fall, and we are delivering not only high-quality classroom instruction but a variety of applied learning opportunities as well,” said Dr. Marc Manganaro, interim provost.
Transfer students from 2- and 4-year institutions are up about 20 percent from a year ago among Missouri Western’s freshman class.
“It’s gratifying to see more students who started their college careers at other four-year institutions discovering Missouri Western’s distinctive value,” said Dr. Melissa Mace, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. “We have also worked hard to establish good partnerships with community colleges in the region, providing their students with a clear pathway to transfer their credits and quickly earn a bachelor’s degree, and it’s encouraging to see those efforts pay off.”
While the university has had modest gains compared to this time last year, final census enrollment is about 500 students below the final 2020 census, which took place six weeks into the semester last year.
Recruitment for fall 2022 has already started, and Dr. Mace says there are encouraging signs there as well. The number of applications and admissions are up significantly early in the recruiting cycle compared to last year.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.