First-day enrollment numbers from Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College showed promise of increased attendance at both Springfield colleges. Classes began Monday for both schools.
Initial enrollment numbers from the first day of classes at Missouri State University show a small decreased population overall, but record-breaking jumps in two key categories, according to a press release.
The university reported jumps in enrollment for:
- First-time, new in college students, from 2,103 last year to 2,685 Monday, an almost 18% jump.
- Graduate students, the number of which increased by .4% to 4,288.
Overall first-day attendance was down by half a percent, according to a press release from the university. Officials anticipate overall enrollment to be increased once international and dual-credit students are enrolled, said Missouri State University President Clif Smart in a press release.
Other initial enrollment numbers show an increase in the number of underrepresented students at Missouri State by 4.6% to 2,627, and an increase in full-time students by 3.3% to 13,675, according to the release. MSU will release its official fall enrollment numbers on Sept. 25.
OTC also reported a 3% increase in total enrollment, reporting 9,832 students across its six locations and online. Its enrollment for the fall semester will be finalized on Sept. 18.
Both schools credited programs that support students for their increases.
Smart praised the MoState Access Award for providing tuition and fees for undergraduate students in great financial need.
A spokesperson for OTC said the college’s OTC Cares model, which relies on “navigators” to help students from application to graduation, helped increase the enrollment among OTC applicants, as well as retention rates.
This report has been edited for clarification.
