MU Experiences Large Increases in Freshmen, Diversity

MU opens for first day of classes with records in freshman and total enrollment; Number of minority students up more than 18 percent

August 23rd, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri officials opened classroom doors today, welcoming a record freshman class to Mizzou for the fall 2010 semester.  This year’s freshman enrollment is the highest in MU’s history, said Ann Korschgen, vice provost for Enrollment Management, with 6,160 freshmen, or 9.6 percent more than last year’s class of 5,620. Overall, the university’s first-day enrollment totals 32,009, while the number of undergraduates is 24,759. Both total and undergraduate enrollment numbers are the highest in the history of the university.

Minority student groups, which include African Americans and Hispanics, also experienced record levels as 1,042 freshman minority students enrolled.

“Over the past 9 years, we have seen a significant increase in the diversity of our campus, with total enrollment in certain minority student groups increasing by more than 77 percent,” said Ann Korschgen, vice provost for enrollment management. “Simultaneously, we have experienced steady enrollment growth throughout campus. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to the success of our students and are working very hard to help prepare them for their chosen careers.”

Not only is the freshman class larger, but the number of students enrolling who received Bright Flight and Curators scholarships increased significantly. The campus experienced an 8 percent increase in the number of Bright Flight students, with 512 students enrolling compared to 474 last year, and an 18.8 percent increase in Curator’s Scholars, with 511 students enrolling compared to 430 last year.

This year’s mean ACT score of 25.6, which is a measure of the quality of the freshman class, remained at its highest level for the past nine years. The state average ACT score is 21.6; the national average is 21.1.

“Not only is our enrollment increasing; the quality and diversity of our students are increasing as well,” Korschgen said. “This demonstrates to us that Mizzou continues to be the top choice for scholars throughout the state.”

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
FIRST DAY ENROLLMENT FIGURES 2010

	Fall 2009	Fall 2010	Difference
First-Time Freshmen	5,620	6,160*	+540/+9.6%
Minority Freshmen**	785	1,042	+257/32.7%
Undergraduate students	23,659	24,759*	+1,100/4.6%
Graduate students	6,018	6,044	+26/+0.4%
Total Minority	3,333	3,951	+618/+18.5%
Mean ACT (freshman class)	25.6	25.6	No Change
Bright Flight	474	512	+38/8.0%
Curators Scholars	430	511	+81/18.8%
Total Enrollment	30,831	32,009*	1,178/+3.8%

* indicates record figure

** Due to changes in federal reporting requirements, counts for specific minority groups, including African Americans and Hispanics, cannot be compared to last year’s numbers.