Northwest summer enrollment exceeds 5,500 for second consecutive year

Northwest Missouri State University’s summer enrollment has topped 5,500 students for the second consecutive year, according to the institution’s summer census this week.

Northwest’s enrollment totals show 1,910 undergraduate students at the University this summer and 3,592 graduate students. Although the total headcount of 5,502 students represents a 5 percent decline from a year ago, this summer’s undergraduate enrollment is consistent with totals spanning the past five years.

Graduate enrollment at Northwest this summer declined by 7.6 percent after it spiked to 3,886 students a year ago, which also marked the first time in the institution’s history that the graduate headcount exceeded 3,000 students. Northwest attributes the decline in its graduate enrollment to fewer international students.

Undergraduate students, however, are enrolled in 13,073 credit hours this summer, an increase of 4.5 percent from a year ago. Overall, Northwest students are enrolled in a total of 32,571 credit hours this summer.

Summer coursework helps students accelerate their time to graduation, in addition to increasing total credit hours earned to fulfill financial aid benefits or enhance scholarship eligibility. Students also may enroll in courses for personal enrichment or to earn certification in a specific area.

“It is great to see so many Northwest students engaged in coursework again this summer, Dr. Allison Hoffmann, the University’s associate provost for enrollment management and student success, said. “Northwest’s summer academic offerings allow students the opportunity to continue progressing toward their degree or credential in a timely manner.”

Hoffmann added, “We are happy to see that we topped 5,500 in total summer enrollment and pleased that our undergraduate enrollment number remains steady. Enrollment and completion are a top priority at Northwest.”

Further, 83 percent of undergraduate students are enrolled in online-only coursework, which is common for that population during the summer months as students maintain employment or participate in internships away from the campus. Seventy percent of graduate students are enrolled in online-only coursework.

By residency, 68 percent of students enrolled in summer courses at Northwest are Missouri residents. The University’s international enrollment declined 78 percent this summer compared to a year ago.

To learn more about enrolling in Northwest courses and degree programs, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/.

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 and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, 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 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 $6,800 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 www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.