Missouri Western Enrollment Increases Again
St. Joseph, Mo. —Sept. 25, 2018—Missouri Western State University has a total of 5,707 students enrolled as of the official census date Sept. 24, an increase of 2.6 percent over Fall 2017, including 5.5 percent growth in the number of new freshmen and a notable rise in the number of credit hours taken per student. There was a 42 percent jump in the number of students taking 16 credit hours or more.
“It’s very exciting to see this kind of growth,” said Dr. Paul Orscheln, associate vice president for enrollment management. “Not only are more students choosing Missouri Western, but they are taking more classes overall.”
This is due in part to the Finish in Four initiative launched this year as well as intentional University-wide efforts encouraging students to plan ahead and complete their degree in a timely manner.
“Students who stick to a set academic plan and take at least 15 credit hours per semester are more likely to graduate, get better grades and are generally more engaged on campus,” added Orscheln.
Dual credit courses, courses taken by high school students to earn college credit, also experienced a remarkable increase, up 21.7 percent over last year, for a total of 1,224 students.
“Earning college credit in high school gives students a jump start on their college career,” said Dr. Gordon Mapley, dean of the Western Institute, which oversees the dual credit program. “We have several students coming to Missouri Western with at least a semester of completed college credits. That not only gives them a head start, but they know what to expect from college courses and are better prepared for success.”
“It is so encouraging to see our enrollment numbers continue to increase,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “It is not only a reflection of our excellent academic programs and hardworking faculty and staff, but a growing awareness of the value and quality of a Missouri Western education.”
Over the past two years, Missouri Western has seen a 22.6 percent jump in enrollment for incoming freshmen.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. 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 www.missouriwestern.edu.
—end—