A total of 1,963 students are enrolled this fall at Missouri State University-West Plains, resulting in a 5% increase over fall 2018, according to official enrollment statistics for the 2019 fall semester.

Last year, 1,875 students were enrolled at the close of business on the 20th day of the semester, the university’s official census day, university officials said.

“At a time when enrollment trends at two-year colleges in Missouri and across the nation are falling, we are thrilled to see an increase in our numbers,” Chancellor Shirley Lawler said. “With the potential enrollment growth in some of our newer academic programs, especially in the allied health and technology areas, we’re hopeful these enrollment trends will continue.”

Some positives

This year’s enrollment figures showed several positives.

• Online enrollment continues to increase. Last fall 957 students took classes via the internet. This fall, 1,110 students were enrolled in online classes;
• The number of high school students taking dual credit classes rose from 607 last fall to 735 this fall;
• Enrollment of non-degree seeking students went from 29 in fall 2018 to 80 this year.

“ Our faculty and staff work hard to provide a quality education at an affordable rate to students, and because of that, Missouri State-West Plains is an excellent option for area residents to begin their collegiate career, whether they’re seeking the first two years of a four-year degree or a certificate or an associate degree that will give them the training they need to find employment in a variety of fields,” Lawler said.

Missouri State-West Plains’ final overall enrollment figure includes students taking classes at the West Plains and Mountain Grove campuses, as well as online, through high school dual credit/dual enrollment programs, and through the Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) of which Missouri State-West Plains is a member.

In addition to the 1,963 students enrolled in Missouri State-West Plains courses this fall, 123 students are enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s level courses offered locally through Missouri State-Springfield’s Outreach office.