Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect an increased first-year retention rate of nearly 93%.
August 19, 2024
Contact: Brian Consiglio, consigliob@missouri.edu
Photo by Abbie Lankitus
Enrollment numbers are on the rise at the University of Missouri as more students discover the transformative power of the Missouri Method. And that hands-on approach isn’t just about learning — it’s about launching careers.
At Mizzou, students gain real-world experience, develop leadership skills and build the confidence to conquer any challenge.
Preliminary first-day figures
While official numbers will be finalized later in the semester, preliminary data shows across-the-board increases including total enrollment of more than 31,000. Other notable figures include 5,983 freshmen (up 16.1% from last year) and 1,238 transfer students (up 6.8% from last year).
“We are thrilled to welcome so many exceptional students to our community,” said Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri. “Mizzou is one of America’s leading research universities, and it’s our land-grant mission to educate the next generation of leaders improving lives in Missouri, the U.S. and the world.”
And students aren’t just coming to Mizzou; they’re staying.
The national average retention rate — the percentage of first-year students who return to their university — sits at 68.2% according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Mizzou’s latest first-year retention rate is nearly 93%, showing Tigers can’t wait to return to campus the following year.
“Our students continue to recognize the value of receiving a world-class education at Mizzou,” said Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University of Missouri. “Our vibrant campus community, internationally renowned faculty and hands-on learning opportunities are all reasons students are proud to choose Mizzou.”
Mizzou was recently named by Time Magazine as one of the Best Colleges for Future Leaders. And these future leaders are coming from all over the world to the middle of Missouri.
Tiger trends
Today’s Tigers represent a dynamic community committed to making a difference. Meet the next generation of leaders, innovators and problem-solvers.
- Mizzou is home to students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
- Mizzou isn’t just attracting more students — it’s attracting high-achieving students. The average freshman ACT score of Mizzou students is 26.2, compared to the state average of 20.8 and national average of 20.7.
- Mizzou students see success. More than 95% of Tigers are employed, enrolled in graduate school or fulfilling critical service roles within six months of earning a degree.
Speaking of degrees, there are plenty to choose from at Mizzou — including more than 300 degree programs and 192 online options. While Mizzou students gain access to all the resources and amenities that come with being at the state’s largest flagship, land-grant university, they still form close connections with their professors, given the university’s 18:1 student-faculty ratio. And those professors bring real-world expertise to the classroom.
“Our high first-year retention rate reflects the positive experiences students are having on campus,” said Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri. “They are thriving both inside and outside the classroom thanks to the people and resources on our campus who are dedicated to helping them succeed.”
Tigers excel outside the classroom as well, and many participate in the more than 600 student clubs and organizations Mizzou offers. And they’re contributing to the local community, with more than 35,400 Tigers performing over a million hours of community service since 2017.
