Northwest Missouri State University is again breaking institutional enrollment records with the conclusion of its latest census showing that the university has the highest spring enrollment in its history.
The University reports that overall enrollment this spring was up nearly 10 percent from a year ago to a headcount of 7,923. For the third consecutive spring, the University set a graduate enrollment record with 3,407 students, an increase of 31 percent from a year ago. Although undergraduate enrollment was down 2 percent, first-time freshman enrollment was up 7 percent.
Additionally, student credit hours at Northwest increased 4% overall. Undergraduate land-based credit hours decreased approximately 5%, while college credit hours for Northwest’s online programs increased 84%. In the graduate student sector, credit hours in the field increased 34% and credit hours for online graduate programs increased 19%.
Additionally, Northwest maintains a high fall to spring retention rate of 88%.
“We are excited about our continued growth,” said Northwest interim president Dr. Clarence Green. “Our people and their commitment to student success is the hallmark in student recruitment and retention, and our increase in first-time freshmen is promising. However, we still have work to do as we continue to focus on growing undergraduate enrollment at our Maryville campus.”
Students participate in a lab class at Northwest. (Photo by Lauren Adams/Northwest Missouri State University)
A Northwest student hangs out between classes on his college laptop. At Northwest, textbooks and a laptop are included with classes. (Photo by Abigayle Rush/Northwest Missouri State University)
The spring semester enrollment tallies follow a fall census that showed Northwest surpassing 8,000 students for the first time in its 117-year history and a record decline of 8,505 students.
Traditionally, spring enrollment totals are lower than those recorded during the fall semester. However, the spring headcount ranks as the second-highest census count in Northwest history, just ahead of the University’s record headcount of 7,870 students in Fall 2021.
This spring, Northwest reports that 934 students, or 12 percent of the student population, identify with underrepresented groups. The University’s enrollment of international students increased to 822 and represents approximately 10% of Northwest’s student body. They represent 36 countries with most of those students from India, Nigeria and Nepal.
The University’s in-state student population this spring is 5,075 students as Northwest domestic students are from a total of 47 states and the District of Columbia, and the institution continues to draw well from Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.
In Northwest-Kansas City, where the University offers a wide variety of courses, including dual-credit offerings and degree completion programs, 657 students are enrolled.
Northwest students learned about opportunities to get involved with a variety of groups at a student organization fair in January. The University offers more than 150 student clubs and organizations. (Photo by Lauren Adams/Northwest Missouri State University)
About Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest is a four-year, primarily residential, coeducational university offering a broad range of select undergraduate and graduate programs at its Maryville campus, as well as at its Northwest-Kansas City location and through Northwest Online.
Founded in 1905, Northwest has a high retention rate, and the 2021 Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory results show that Northwest students are more satisfied than students in their national peers, and 80 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their college experience, compared to 77 percent of students surveyed nationwide at their respective institutions. Additionally, Northwest’s graduation rate is in the 95th percentile among its peers.
In addition, according to the most recent data, 97 percent of Northwest graduates and 99 percent of master’s degree graduates secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduating.
Northwest places a strong emphasis on career-based learning to help graduates kick-start their careers. Students have the opportunity to build their resumes with on-campus experiences in nearly any area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, RT Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area o Knacktive, a student-led integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its disaster and emergency management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that draws first responders and emergency responders from across the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation to a natural disaster.
Its vibrant and diverse learning community features more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, which is among the lowest in the nation, saving students about $6,800 over four years. Northwest also offers 1,200 student jobs, enabling students to develop professional skills through its internationally benchmark student work program.
For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.
