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The W leads the state in degree completion, headcount declines

Thursday, November 03, 2022
by Tyler Wheat

Mississippi University for Women continues to lead the state in degree completion despite a decrease in overall headcount.

For fall 2022, the university enrolled 2,339 students accounting for a 5.6% drop in unduplicated enrollment. 

 “What we have experienced is not unusual, particularly for regional institutions. It’s part demographic cliff, part pandemic, coupled with enhanced competition from research institutions and community colleges,” said W President Nora Miller.

“Several efforts are already underway to address enrollment challenges. The university is implementing new technology to improve outreach to prospective students and hiring an executive director of enrollment management. Additionally, the university is exploring the idea of a more inclusive name.”

The university continues to lead the state’s public university system with the highest degree completion at 36.8 number of undergraduate degrees awarded per 100 undergraduate full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment. During the 2022 academic year, the university awarded 927 degrees, the second-highest ever.

The W ranked among the best in the region for best value and social mobility announced by U.S. News & World Report earlier this year. The 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges ranked the university at No. 1 for Best Value Schools among public southern regional universities and No. 4 among Regional Universities (South). The university also was ranked No. 2 in Top Performers on Social Mobility among public southern regional universities. Social Mobility measures the extent universities and colleges enrolled and graduated students who received Pell Grant. The W was ranked in the top 10 for Top Regional Universities (South).

The W ranks No. 1 in the nation among Master’s Universities for the percentage of transfer students enrolled, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

In other student characteristics at The W:

  • 86% are from Mississippi
  • 35% are African-American
  • Average student age is 24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 2, 2022
Tyler Wheat
ltwheat@muw.edu

About The W

Located in historic Columbus, Mississippi, The W was founded in 1884 as the first state-supported college for women in the United States. Today, the university is home to 2,227 students in more than 70 majors and concentrations and has educated men for 40 years. The university is nationally recognized for low student debt, diversity and social mobility which empowers students to BE BOLD.

Be Bold. Tower with Blue.