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by Kaitlyn Tucker The Bolivar Commercial
Preliminary enrollment figures have been released for the eight public universities in Mississippi.
Delta State University is ranked with the second highest growth rate.
For the 2010 fall semester, Delta State estimates enrollment at 4,324, a 7.3 percent increase from last fall's 4,031 enrollment figure.
Over the last couple of years, Delta State has been working to increase enrollment through a new logo and tagline, advertising campaigns and heavy recruitment.
With six of the eight universities increasing enrollment from last fall, the state's trend seems positive.
"The trend lines indicate that more individuals are seeking to enhance their lives through increased post-secondary educational attainment," said Dr. Hank M. Bounds, commissioner of Higher Education. "We must find ways to support their efforts and increase retention and graduation rates in order to move Mississippi forward."
Across the state, enrollment figures have increased every year since 1994.
This year, the preliminary figures reveal a 4.1 percent increase over all — about 3,000 students.
Alcorn State University saw the greatest growth percentage. Enrollment increased 10.4 percent, from 3,334 students in 2009 to 3,682 in 2010.
The University of Mississippi saw 6.5 percent increase combined from both its campuses. Overall, Ole Miss had 18,344 students in 2009 and has 19,536 this semester.
At the main campus in Oxford, there were 15,932 students in 2009 and there are now 17,067 — a 7.1 percent increase.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center had 2,412 students last year and increased to 2,469 students this year — 2.4 percent increase.
Mississippi State University saw a 5.6 percent increase this year. They had 18,601 students last fall and are currently 2 free night AT HY
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