Northwest Announces 5th Straight Year Of Higher Enrollment

Northwest Missouri State University reported a 5th consecutive year of higher enrollment.

The unofficial count on Wednesday at 7,715 students. That is a 5.4 percent increase in total enrollment from last year and the fifth consecutive year of growth. Northwest also reported a record 80 percent of its 2021 class turned to Northwest for a second year.

Northwest’s freshman headcount this fall is 1,115, which is a 13 percent increase. Of those students, 36 percent identify as first-generation college students, and they represent 17 states and 10 other countries.

The University’s enrollment total also includes 2,800 graduate students, a 19 percent increase from a year ago. Of those students, 723 come from other countries, setting a new high in the University’s history for international graduate students.

Northwest’s overall international headcount of 840 students also set a record on the first day of classes. That headcount is a 34 percent increase from a year ago and surpassed the University’s previous high of 775 international students recorded during its fall 2015 census.

Enrollment for Northwest’s online programs totals 2,426 students, which is up 25 percent compared to fall 2021.

Northwest’s official census will be Wednesday, September 14th.