Northwest Missouri State opening day enrollment shows another year of growth

Northwest Missouri State University began its 2023-24 academic year Monday with a 4.6-percent rise in its total enrollment from a year ago, marking a sixth consecutive year of overall growth.

Northwest started its fall semester with a total headcount of 8,071 students, compared to 7,715 on the first day of the 2022-23 academic year. Northwest also reports 75 percent of its 2022 freshman class returned to the university for a second year.

The university’s graduate student enrollment increased by 23 percent from a year ago to 3,159, while its first-time graduate headcount is 843, a nearly 16 percent increase. Among all graduate students, 890 come from 11 other countries, setting a new high in the university’s history for international graduate students.

In fact, Northwest’s overall international headcount of 1,032 students also set a record on the first day of classes. That headcount is a 23 percent increase from a year ago and surpassed the university’s previous high of 855 international students recorded during its fall 2022 census.

Additionally, enrollment for Northwest online programs totals 2,793 students, which is up about 23 percent compared to fall 2022.

“I’m proud of how we have balanced our enrollment portfolios online, and our international enrollment continues to be a strength,” Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum said. “The fact that overall enrollment numbers at Northwest are trending in a positive direction is encouraging, but we know there is still work ahead of us as we continue to grow our campus populations.”

Dr. Allison Hoffmann, Northwest’s assistant vice president of admissions and student success, added, “We are excited to see continued enrollment growth in the international student segment. Day one numbers indicate growth in both new undergraduate and graduate international student segments as well as strong persistence rates for continuing international students. Achieving record-high international enrollment is a testament to our campus-wide support and recognition of the importance of international education.”

All enrollment numbers are preliminary until Northwest’s official census occurs Monday, Sept. 18. Northwest’s fall 2022 census provided the University with a record-setting enrollment of 8,505 students, though its multiple start dates each semester helped the institution grow post-census, and the University ended the 2022 fall semester with a record-breaking enrollment of 8,805 students.