Northwest Missouri State University begins its 2016-17 academic year with an increase in students.

According to preliminary enrollment totals released by the Office of Enrollment Management, there are 1,367 students in the freshman class and an increase of students coming from Missouri and surrounding states.

Sixty-six percent of the University’s freshmen come from within the state, which is up four percent compared to last year’s class. Additionally, Northwest recorded a six percent increase in freshmen coming from Iowa and a two percent increase coming from Nebraska. Twenty percent of the class represents underrepresented populations, of which four percent are international students.   

The class represents 22 states and 10 countries. The students also are academically strong, entering Northwest with an average ACT score of 21.21, which exceeds state and national averages, and an average high school grade-point average of 3.36.

“Our freshman class is representative of the high-achieving and diverse community we have at Northwest,” University President Dr. John Jasinski said. “I commend our enrollment team and so many partners across the institution who have taken intentional and strategic steps to maintain our institutional growth.”

Additionally, Northwest enrolled 306 transfer students, which is an increase of about 20 percent. The number of students transferring from Missouri institutions is up 12 percent and out-of-state transfers are up 17 percent.

Northwest also continues to lead its peers in freshman retention rates. The fall 2015 freshman class has returned to Northwest for their sophomore year at a rate of 71 percent.

Northwest’s total headcount stands at 6,434, which is a slight increase from last fall.

These enrollment numbers are preliminary and the University’s official census occurs Monday, Sept. 26.