With a record number of new undergraduate students and a significant increase in returning students, Missouri State University is starting the fall 2016 semester with its largest opening day enrollment ever.

When classes began today (Aug. 22), 21,107 students were enrolled through the Springfield campus, an increase of 773 or 3.8 percent over the first day of the fall 2015 semester.

Included in that total are 3,143 first-time students and 1,746 new transfer students. The combined total of 4,889 represents the largest group of new undergraduates ever. Returning undergraduate students accounted for 12,306 of the total, up from 11,630 last year.

Larger freshman classes in 2012-15 contribute to record enrollment

Don Simpson, associate vice president for enrollment management and services, attributed the increase in continuing students to significant growth in the freshman class in recent years combined with an increase in the retention rate of those students.

The number of entering freshmen increased from 2,491 in fall 2012 to 3,178 in fall 2015, with more than half of that increase occurring from fall 2014 to fall 2015.

“We’ve had significant increases in the number of first time students during the last three years,” said Clifton M. Smart III, Missouri State president. “As those students return to campus, it has bolstered our total enrollment. We’re excited that first time college student enrollment is mostly steady and we’re continuing to increase the number of transfer students.”

Transfer student enrollment also sets record

While this year’s freshman total is slightly below last year’s, the number of new transfers is also a record and exceeds last year’s total by 108.

“Transfer students are an important part of our enrollment,” said Simpson. “Over the course of a year (fall, spring and summer combined), transfer students account for about 45 percent of our new undergraduates.”

The college experiencing the largest growth was Health and Human Services. Enrollment in that college includes 48 students in the new Master of Occupational Therapy program.

Late registration will continue on the Springfield campus through Aug. 26, and registration in high school dual credit courses and other special courses will continue through early September.

Official enrollment reports will be based on enrollment at the end of the day on Sept. 19.

Prospective students should apply early

With the growth that the university has experienced, the office of admissions is encouraging prospective students for the fall 2017 semester to apply early.

Showcase, an open house for prospective students, will be held on Sept. 24. Registration is requested.

For information on admission and registration at the Springfield campus, call 417-836-5517 or 800-492-7900 or visit Missouri State on the web at www.missouristate.edu.