A total of 1,779 students are enrolled this fall at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), according to official enrollment statistics for the 2023 fall semester released today.
“Overall, we’re very pleased with our fall enrollment numbers this year. New degree-seeking student numbers are up, credit hours are up, full-time students are up, and, for the first time in a long time, the number of men enrolled this fall, is up, too,” said MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster.
A breakdown of the numbers Lancaster mentioned show:
- First-time freshmen enrollment is up 7.3%.
- The total number of credit hours being taken is up 4.4%.
- The number of students attending full time saw a 5.7% increase.
- The number of male students is up 5.7%.
“While we’ll be analyzing the numbers and asking the ‘why’ questions in the days ahead, I’d like to think our focus on programming more closely tied to our region is the reason for the increases,” he added. “For instance, this is the first fall semester for our full ASCEND autism transition program, the second fall for our growing Grizzly eSports team, and the first semester after a year-long recruiting effort for our women’s softball team. There’s always room for improvement tomorrow, but we’re enjoying this rosier picture today.”
MSU-WP’s 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 MSU-WP is a member.
Missouri State Outreach enrollment
In addition to the students enrolled in MSU-WP courses this fall, 65 students are enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s level courses offered locally through the Missouri State University Outreach office.