MUW Enrollment Numbers Show Positive Trends

COLUMBUS, Miss. — With state university enrollments generally flat, MUW is reporting some encouraging trends from an analysis of its fall 2012 student data.

“Our enrollment count was down by approximately nine students, but we see some positive trends when we take a closer look at what the numbers mean,” said MUW President Jim Borsig.

The number of full-time students is one of those, he said. “Full-time-equivalent—students carrying a full load of coursework—is a significant measure in higher education,” he said. “We’re pleased to note that The W’s FTE increased by three percent from the previous year.”

The enrollment at MUW’s Tupelo campus—which offers a baccalaureate program in nursing, which is also offered online– increased by 16 percent over the previous fall. “Nursing continues to be one of our growing and significant contributions to the region we serve,” Borsig noted.

The W also saw an increase in average ACT scores among full-time degree-seeking freshmen. That number rose from 21.1 in 2011 to 22.1 in 2012. “We believe we continue to recruit highly capable students who benefit from our small-class environment,” Borsig said.

In other numbers:

Students represent 80 of Mississippi’s 82 counties.

· The number of first-time degree seeking freshmen rose by 7 percent from the previous year.

· The number of degree-seeking transfer students rose by 17 percent from the previous year.

· Students represent 25 other states and 10 countries.

· Minority enrollment, including international students, is 41 percent.

· The W’s enrollment is 17 percent male, 83 percent female.

For fall, 2012, The W’s total unduplicated headcount was 2,650, a decrease of less than 1 percent from 2011.

“We believe The W plays a unique and vital role in the state’s public higher education system, and we believe these numbers show that our students, faculty and staff are doing it well,” Borsig said.