Northwest enrollment above 8,500 students for fourth consecutive year

Northwest enrollment above 8,500 students for fourth consecutive year

Northwest Missouri State University's total headcount is 8,747 students this fall, according to the University's latest census.

Northwest annually conducts its census 20 days after the start of the fall semester, and it shows an undergraduate headcount of 5,279 this year, which represents a slight increase from last fall. The University's graduate headcount, however, is 3,468, which represents an 11 percent decrease from last year that is largely attributed to a decline in international students, down from 557 last year to 125 this fall.

In other segments, Northwest enrolled 890 students in dual credit coursework this fall, representing a 14 percent increase, and first-time transfer students increased by 9 percent to 325 students.

While enrollment growth and sustainability is one of Northwest's strategic themes, Dr. Allison Hoffmann, the University's associate provost for enrollment management and student success, said the institution is pleased by the increases in key segments.

"The growth in our transfer student population is exciting," Hoffmann said. "We continue to review and refine practices and policies to ensure we remain a transfer-friendly institution for community-college students and students with previous college credit and no degree or credential."

While the University's in-state student population is 6,010, Northwest students hail from each of the 50 states this fall as the institution continues to draw well from surrounding states. In fact, the number of students receiving Northwest's Bearcat Advantage increased by 3 percent to 1,005 students this fall.

"With Northwest's unique location near the border of multiple states, we remain focused on serving Missouri students while also remaining aware of the needs of our out-of-state students," Hoffmann said. "The growth in the number of students earning the Bearcat Advantage waiver signifies continued positive momentum in our out-of-state enrollment efforts."

The University's international student population, meanwhile, represents 51 different countries.

About Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.

Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor's degree earners and 99 percent of master's degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.

Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.

The University's vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit https://www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.