WEST PLAINS, Mo. – A total of 1,611 students began classes Monday morning, Aug. 21, for the first day of the 2017 fall semester at Missouri State University-West Plains, university officials announced.

That is the number of students enrolled as of Sunday evening, Aug. 20, the end of the regular registration period for the fall semester, university officials said. Last year, 1,827 students were enrolled for the first day.

Monday’s figures included enrollment numbers from Missouri State-West Plains’ extended campus in Mountain Grove, online courses and early enrollees in the dual credit/dual enrollment classes being offered this fall at several area high schools.

“We anticipated that our enrollment numbers may be down this year, considering that enrollment is projected to be down at almost every two-year college and several four-year colleges across Missouri,” Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “There are many factors that affect enrollment; however, the number of students attending under Missouri’s A+ Scholarship Program are up 8 percent for opening day, which indicates that Missouri State-West Plains continues to be an attractive option for high school graduates. The number of students will continue to fluctuate until the 20th day of class because a few programs are still enrolling.”

Those programs which have extended registration periods include dual credit/dual enrollment at area high schools and the Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA).

In addition to these students, 120 students are enrolled in the bachelor’s and master’s degree courses offered on site and via interactive television (ITV) by Missouri State University’s Outreach Program on the West Plains campus.

For more information about Missouri State-West Plains, its programs and registration deadlines, visit wp.missouristate.edu or call 417-255-7955.