The W leads state in percentage enrollment growth for second straight year
For the second year, Mississippi University for Women leads the state’s public universities in percentage increase in unduplicated enrollment. The W recorded a 3.6% increase in unduplicated enrollment for fall 2026, bringing its student population to 2,457.
“Over the past two years, fall enrollment at The W has grown by more than 12%,” said Interim President Scott Tollison. “The notable increase in new students this fall is especially encouraging and gives us good reason to be optimistic about strong growth continuing into the future. I am proud of the work of our enrollment management team, faculty and staff.”
The university also recorded a second consecutive year of growth in full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment, with an increase of 5%. The freshman class included the highest number of valedictorians and salutatorians in the past five years.
The School of Education experienced the highest percentage growth among the university’s colleges, with a 12% increase following a 13% increase in 2025. The Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences experienced the second-highest growth among colleges, with an increase of nearly 5%.
The Culinary Arts Institute at The W experienced a 24% increase in enrollment, while the Department of History, Political Science and Geography recorded a 25% increase and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program experienced an increase of nearly 10%.
Tollison said, “Our growth is important not just for The W, but for Mississippi. Our graduates overwhelmingly remain in the state, meeting workforce demands in critical areas, strengthening Mississippi communities and making significant contributions to our state’s economy early in their careers.”
The university continues to lead Mississippi’s public university system in degree completion, awarding 33.3 undergraduate degrees per 100 undergraduate FTE students, compared with the state’s Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) system average of 23.9 per 100 FTE.
Other student characteristics at The W include:
- 87% are from Mississippi.
- 24% are male.
- The average student age is 24.