Enrollment increases at Columbia’s colleges and universities
Economic downturn a major factor in upward trend for grads and undergrads
An unprecedented number of students will start congregating at Columbia’s colleges and universities next month and fan out to spend money in the city’s stores, bars and restaurants.
A survey of six institutions of higher education with campuses in Columbia found that total enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year is expected to be 34,408, up from 32,969 the previous year. That’s an increase of 1,439 students, or 4.4 percent. Another 200 or so students will be attending Columbia Area Career Center.
And here’s a silver lining in the hair-suit some people call the Great Recession: College officials say the economic downturn is compelling a large percentage of the Class of 2009 to head straight into graduate school and persuading many workers to enroll in classes to improve their chances of succeeding in a tight job market.
William Woods University
Undergraduate
Fall 2008: 1,100 students
Fall 2009: 1,175 students expected
Number change: 75 students
Percent change: 6.82 percent
Graduate
Fall 2008: 2,250 students
Fall 2009: 2,500 students expected
Number change: 250 students
Percent change: 11.11 percent
Columbia campus
Fall 2008: 200 students
Fall 2009: at least 250 students expected
Number change: 50 students
Percent change: 25 percent
“In the past year, we have seen an increase in students pursuing our master of business administration degree as well as our MBA with the health management emphasis,” said Mary Ann Beahon, director of university relations.
Central Methodist University – Columbia campus
Fall 2008: 800 students
Fall 2009: 950 students expected
Number change: 150 students
Percent change: 18.75 percent
“At the present time, the economy is helping education because people need to go to school to keep their jobs,” said Judy Strodtman, extended studies coordinator, Central Methodist University.
Columbia College
Overall enrollment, including day, evening, online, nationwide and graduate
Fall 2008: 14,081 students
Fall 2009: 14,925 students expected
Number change: 844 students
Percent change: 6 percent
Undergraduate Columbia day campus
Fall 2008: 1,169 students
Fall 2009: 1,239 students expected
Number change: 70 students
Percent change: 6 percent
“We see more adults coming back to the classroom to complete a degree or to start a new one,” said Mike Randerson, vice president for adult higher education at Columbia College. “They are taking classes to shield themselves from layoffs or to retool to be more competitive in the job market. … There has been growth in our human services program, which is offered during the day, evening and online. Healthcare is another very sought-after degree.”
University of Missouri
Total graduate and undergraduate
Fall 2008: 28,375 students
Fall 2009: 29,394 students
Number change: 1,019 students
Percent change: 3.59 percent
Professional
Fall 2008: 1,126
Fall 2009: 1,113
Number change: -13 students
Percent change: -1.15 percent
Undergraduate
Fall 2008: 22,687 students
Fall 2009: 23,647 students expected
Number change: 960 students
Percent change: 4.23 percent
Graduate and continuing studies
Fall 2008: 4,562 students
Fall 2009: 4,634 students expected
Number change: 72 students
Percent change: 1.58 percent
(The number of high school graduates in Missouri is expected to begin a multi-year decline starting the spring of 2011 that will extend to 2015 and beyond)
“Nursing and other society-crucial programs are experiencing robust applications, and we’re trying as hard as we can to educate as many master’s and doctorate-level nurses,” said George Justice, interim dean of the graduate school. “Graduate programs that have specific occupational outcomes continue to be very popular. … By any standards, our education, business and health professions graduate degrees are popular, but across the board we have been receiving large numbers of applications for most of our programs, including traditional academic disciplines in the College of Arts and Science.”
Columbia Area Career Center
Technical and industry classes
2007: 135 students
2008: 207 students
Number change: 72 students
Percent change: 53.33 percent
Stephens College
Undergraduate
Fall 2008: 754 students
Fall 2009: 760 students expected
Number change: 6 students
Percent change: 0.8 percent
Graduate and continuing studies
Fall 2008: 371 students
Fall 2009: 420 students expected
Number change: 49 students
Percent change: 13.21 percent
“With the economy kind of difficult right now, we have seen a lot of people coming back and wanting to complete a graduate degree, said Jennifer Deaver, director of recruitment at Stephens College. “Students, too, express that it’s time to do it.”
Moberly Area Community College – Columbia campus
Fall 2008: 1,300 students
Fall 2009: 1,395 students expected
Number change: 95 students
Percent change: 7.31 percent
“Enrollment in all areas is up, said Ann Frey, director of Columbia higher education at Moberly Area Community College. “The computer programs, particularly the Internet classes, have increased a little bit since last year.”
Sources: Judy Strodtman, extended studies coordinator, CMU; Jennifer Jonas, interim senior director of public relations, Columbia College; Amy Frey, director of Columbia higher education center, Moberly Area Community College; Amy Gipson, vice president for marketing and public relations and Jennifer Deaver, director of recruitment, Stephens College; MU Office of Institutional Research and Planning; Mary Ann Beahon, director of university relations, WWU; Karl Christopher, trade and industry coordinator and placement specialist, Columbia Area Career Center