Preliminary Fall Enrollment Figures Show Increase of 4.1 Percent For Mississippi Universities

Across Mississippi's eight public universities, preliminary fall 2010 enrollment figures show an increase of over 3,000 students or 4.1 percent from fall 2009 numbers, according to data released by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Instutions of Higher Learning today.

System-wide enrollment has increased annually since 1994.

“The trend lines indicate that more individuals are seeking to enhance their lives through increased post-secondary educational attainment,” said Dr. Hank M. Bounds, Commissioner of Higher Education. “We must find ways to support their efforts and increase retention and graduation rates in order to move Mississippi forward.”

Preliminary enrollment figures are unduplicated and count students one time if enrolled on more than one campus.

The only decreases occur at two of the states "historic black universities". Jackson State is expected to have a slight decrease of 1.1 percent, and Mississippi Valley State is expected to lose over 12 percent of last years enrollment numbers, according to the data.

The numbers below indicate the Fall of 2009 enrollment, the preliminary figures for Fall of 2010 and the percent change per university.
Alcorn State University
3,334
3,682
10.4%

Delta State University
4,031
4,324
7.3%

Jackson State University
8,783
8,689
-1.1%

Mississippi State University
18,601
19,644
5.6%

Mississippi University for Women
2,476
2,592
4.7%

Mississippi Valley State University
2,850
2,491
-12.6%

University of Mississippi Total
18,344
19,536
6.5%

University of Mississippi
15,932
17,067
7.1%

University of Mississippi Medical Center
2,412
2,469
2.4%

University of Southern Mississippi
15,293
15,778
3.2%

System Total
73,712
76,736
4.1%

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.