St. Joseph, Mo. – Missouri Western State University recently reported enrollment numbers which included a record number of graduate students.

According to a news release from Missouri Western, enrollment was reported on Sept. 28, at 5,388 including a record 243 graduate students.

“We are pleased that our relatively young master’s degree programs continue to see steady, sustainable growth,” said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This remains an opportunity for continued growth in the future, especially as we continue to bring new programs online, including our MBA program starting next year.”

The total enrollment is about 3 percent below last year’s total. One reason may be the improving economy, said Dr. Paul Orscheln, associate vice president for enrollment management and student retention.

“We saw a significant drop in the number of students age 30 and over, and that was a major factor in our overall numbers,” Dr. Orscheln said. “That’s usually an indication that adult learners are entering the work force rather than going back to school.”

Despite the decline, Dr. Orscheln said there are positive trends in the official enrollment numbers including the retention rate or percentage of last year’s first-time full-time freshman class that returned for their sophomore year. That percentage is the highest in the last nine years and the second highest on record. Also the number of new students, including first-time full-time freshmen and new transfers is up 3.4 percent over a year ago.