State鈥檚 leading research university sees all-time record enrollment
Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擣ueled by its growing prominence as a leading research university, 幺力视频 again is setting records for fall student enrollment, welcoming a total of 21,884, a number that includes an unprecedented number of transfers.
The total represents an increase of 262 students from last year鈥檚 enrollment of 21,622, with MSU exceeding 20,000 students since 2011.
Additionally, a record number of transfer students 鈥 2,062 鈥 have enrolled for the fall semester, an increase of 232 over last year鈥檚 total of 1,830.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum said he鈥檚 excited to accommodate this record number of high academic achievers, noting that the university鈥檚 average first-time freshman ACT score is 25.13.
鈥淚 am pleased that 幺力视频 continues to be the largest four-year accredited university in the state. We鈥檙e motivated by this university鈥檚 unprecedented growth, and we鈥檙e also very prepared for these new students who鈥檝e chosen to build their future with us,鈥 he said.
Keenum pointed to new and upgraded facilities and programs now serving MSU鈥檚 growing student body. The recently opened Old Main Academic Center offers these students 150,000 square feet of innovative classroom and study space, while the Center for Student Success is helping improve academic outcomes by better connecting students with university resources.
鈥淲e believe there鈥檚 a direct correlation between sharing our success stories with broader audiences and steadily climbing enrollment. More and more people want to be part of the MSU experience because they know it involves exciting opportunities to learn, lead and grow,鈥 Keenum said.
MSU remains the No. 1 choice for high school graduates in Mississippi, with 65.4 percent of the student body comprised of in-state residents. However, non-resident students also are finding MSU to be a destination for exceptional education, with the university recording 34.6 percent enrollment from out-of-state, a one-point increase over last fall.
Nearly 30 percent of MSU鈥檚 fall enrollment is composed of minority students, and 19 percent are African American. A total of 50.4 percent of students are male, with 49.6 percent female.
Also, Keenum highlighted enrollment growth in the College of Architecture, Art and Design (up 7.9 percent); College of Veterinary Medicine (up 5.9 percent); and Bagley College of Engineering (up 4 percent). Totals for the eight colleges are:
鈥2,408 in Agriculture and Life Sciences
鈥774 in Architecture, Art and Design
鈥5,279 in Arts and Sciences
鈥2,852 in Business
鈥3,502 in Education
鈥4,638 in Engineering
鈥584 in Forest Resources
鈥574 in Veterinary Medicine.
MSU is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .