UM only MS public university to see enrollment increase

With a record freshman class totaling 4,480, Ole Miss’ enrollment has increased 5.1% since fall semester 2021, passing all other public universities in the state.

On Nov. 2, the Institution of Higher Learning released the enrollment data for Mississippi’s public universities. Ole Miss stands out on the list as the only university with a positive increase compared to fall 2021. 

The difference totals an increase of 1,111 since the previous fall, reaching a total of 22,967 students across all Ole Miss campuses, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

Overall, enrollment at MS public universities fell 1% from 76,510 students to 75,755. This, according to IHL, is slightly less than the national average for public universities. The smallest decrease was at Mississippi State university which saw a decrease of 1.9%.

Eduardo Prieto, vice chancellor for enrollment management, said he credits some of this increase to the new Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics building, which is set to open in fall 2024. 

“The University of Mississippi is enjoying great momentum with the construction of our STEM building, a capital campaign that has raised more than $1.2 billion to support our core mission, and winning athletic programs,” Prieto said. “Families and students from Mississippi and across the nation see that and our status as a leading research institution, our history of offering an incredible student experience at a terrific value, and they want to be a part of this place.”

Prieto expressed his appreciation for the enrollment team and his colleagues in the Office of Marketing and Communications, and said they now need to effectively manage the uptick in enrollment so they can keep students at Ole Miss. 

“Our record-high retention rates show that students who come here are generally happy and fulfilled with their overall experience,” Prieto said. “Now, our university has to manage the growth effectively, and university leaders are evaluating what’s needed to do that.”

Prieto said in order to keep up the enrollment rates, the university is looking for new programs.

“Under Chancellor Boyce’s leadership, we have invested in new programs, new technology and more,” Prieto said. “We must continue to move forward as a university and find new and exciting ways to tell our story to the next generation of Ole Miss students.”