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All Arkansas State University System campuses exceeded fall enrollment expectations and its flagship institution set a new record, according to preliminary 11th day enrollment reports.
Total enrollment in the ASU System’s seven member institutions is 26,197 students, a 3.9% increase of 993 students over fall 2022. Arkansas State University in Jonesboro reported a 5.6% increase from 14,107 last year to 14,903 – a total that exceeds the previous all-time fall preliminary head count of 14,144 in 2017. All five two-year institutions are higher. Henderson State University fell 15.1% from 2,519 to 2,139 but outperformed a budgeted loss of 20%.
Dr. Charles L. Welch, president of the ASU System, said he was encouraged to see enrollment growth throughout the system.
“We know students have many options and considerations, so we’re grateful to those who have chosen our ASU System institutions,” Welch said. “Our campuses are continually working to meet student needs and workforce demands through traditional and online offerings. Whether a student is seeking an advanced, research-based education or immediate specialized job training, I’m confident our campuses are fulfilling their missions.
“Arkansas State’s record enrollment is a pleasant surprise in light of trends among regional universities across the country,” he added. “The planned addition of the College of Veterinary Medicine adds to the momentum of A-State’s role in graduate and professional education. We anticipated a significant decrease at Henderson with the difficult decisions that had to be made with program reductions, but we are pleased that enrollment exceeded our budgeted expectations and positive trends emerged.”
ASU Three Rivers in Malvern led the way for growth at the two-year institutions with a 15.1% increase to 2,109 students. The campus has seen significant enrollment increases related to its partnership with the Saline County Career Technical Campus in Benton.
ASU-Newport followed with an 8% increase to 1,720 students. ASU Mid-South in West Memphis rose 4.4% to 1,022, ASU-Beebe increased 3.1% to 3,018 and ASU-Mountain Home was up 3.1% to 1,286.
A-State saw growth across almost all categories, but was notably up in first-time, first-year students and the number of students who chose to live in on-campus housing. The 1,608 new Red Wolves included 163 international students, up 60 students from last fall, and 1,445 domestic first-year students, up from last fall’s 1,185. Overall, the class of first-time students was up 20% compared to 2022. The number of students living on campus is 2,933, the highest occupancy with University Housing in the post-pandemic period.
Traditional students and those who also enroll in some online classes make up nearly two-thirds of ASU System institutions, with 35% enrolled exclusively online. Total system enrollment includes 22.6% of students in graduate classes and 17.2% who are high school concurrent students.
The ASU System serves more than 26,000 students throughout Arkansas and includes Arkansas State University, a four-year research institution in Jonesboro with an additional campus in Queretaro, Mexico; Henderson State University, a four-year institution in Arkadelphia; ASU-Beebe, with additional campuses in Heber Springs and Searcy; ASU-Mountain Home; ASU-Newport, with additional campuses in Jonesboro and Marked Tree; and ASU Mid-South in West Memphis. For more information about the ASU System, visit ASUSystem.edu or follow on X at @ASUSystem
