Northwest achieves record spring enrollment for second consecutive year, second-highest enrollment in institution’s history

Northwest Missouri State University is again breaking institutional enrollment records with the conclusion of its latest census showing that the University has the highest spring enrollment in its history.

The University reports overall enrollment this spring increased nearly 10 percent from a year ago to a headcount of 7,923. For the third consecutive spring, the University set record graduate enrollment with 3,407 students, an increase of 31 percent from a year ago. Although undergraduate enrollment decreased 2 percent, first-time freshman enrollment increased 7 percent.

Further, student credit hours at Northwest are up 4 percent overall. Undergraduate student on-ground credit hours declined about 5 percent while undergraduate credit hours for Northwest’s online programs increased 84 percent. In the graduate student sector, on-ground credit hours are up 34 percent, and credit hours for graduate online programs are up 19 percent.

Additionally, Northwest maintains a high fall-to-spring retention rate of 88 percent.

“We are excited about our continued growth,” Northwest Interim President Dr. Clarence Green said. “Our people and their commitment to student success is the differentiator in recruiting and retaining students, and our increase in first-time freshmen is promising. However, we still have work to do as we continue to focus on undergraduate enrollment growth on our Maryville campus.”

The spring semester enrollment counts follow a fall census that showed Northwest surpassing 8,000 students for the first time in its 117-year history and a record fall headcount of 8,505 students.

Traditionally, spring enrollment totals are lower than those recorded during the fall semester. Yet, the spring headcount ranks as Northwest’s second-highest census count in its history, just ahead of the University’s then-record headcount of 7,870 students in fall 2021.

This spring, Northwest reports 934 students, or 12 percent of the student population, identify with underrepresented groups. The University’s enrollment of international students increased to 822, and they represent about 10 percent of Northwest’s student body. They represent 36 countries with most of those students coming from India, Nigeria and Nepal.

The University’s in-state student population this spring is 5,075 students as Northwest’s domestic students hail from a total of 47 states and the District of Columbia, and the institution continues to draw well from Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.

At Northwest-Kansas City, where the University offers a range of coursework, including dual credit offerings and degree completion programs, 657 students are enrolled.

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 as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate, and results of the 2021 Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers and 80 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 77 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions. Additionally, Northwest’s graduation rate is in the 95th percentile among its peers.

Furthermore, 97 percent of Northwest bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent data. 

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers. 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 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.

Its vibrant and diverse learning community offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, which is among the lowest in the nation, saving students an estimated $6,800 over four years. Northwest also 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 www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.