Missouri Western State University reported an enrollment of 5,571 students on the official census date of Sept. 28.

The enrollment consists of 5,352 undergraduate students, and 219 graduate students. The graduate enrollment is a record, surpassing the 210 students who were enrolled last spring, and a 19 percent increase over fall 2014.

“We are pleased to see the continued growth in our relatively young master’s degree programs, and that remains an opportunity for continued growth as we look to the future,” said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic affairs. The Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Information Management programs in particular showed strong growth this fall, she said.

After seven consecutive years of record enrollments and a growth of 27 percent between 2003 and 2011, the number of students has stabilized in recent years, and this year declined 6 percent. Dr. Daffron said enrollment management experts have seen challenges coming for years, and many other schools experienced declines earlier than Missouri Western did.

“We’ve long known that the number of graduating high school students has been declining in our region, and there’s a national decrease in the college-going rate for students straight out of high school,” Dr. Daffron said. “In addition, the improving economy means more potential students choose to enter the workforce rather than pursuing a degree.”

Despite the decline, Dr. Daffron says there are several positive trends:

  • This year’s incoming freshman class may be the most academically prepared in the school’s history, with a record average ACT score of 22, a 26.5 percent increase in students with a 4.0 GPA or higher and an 8.8 percent increase in students with an ACT score of 23 to 26.
  • Although international enrollment remained relatively steady, with 120 international students from 36 countries, there has been a shift in incoming students from short-term exchange and special program students to more long-term students who will pursue their degree for several years.
  • Despite decreases in the size of graduating high school classes in Missouri Western’s historic primary service area of Buchanan, Andrew, Clinton, DeKalb and Platte Counties, the number of students from those counties has remained stable.

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.