Enrollment stays steady at Northwestern

Enrollment for the 2019 fall semester at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is nearly the same as it was a year ago.

In a preliminary enrollment report submitted to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Northwestern reported headcount enrollment of 1,983 students, a decrease of just 10 students from a year ago.

“Northwest Oklahoma is facing two years of some of the lowest high school senior class numbers, and that is having an effect on enrollment,” Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said. “The class sizes begin to rise after 2020, and we are prepared to take advantage of a larger pool of students in our primary recruiting area.”

One bright spot in the enrollment report was in concurrent enrollment – dual credit courses taken by high school juniors and seniors. Enrollment more than doubled this fall with 180 students taking concurrent courses, compared with 88 a year ago.

“We are thankful the Legislature decided to better fund the concurrent enrollment program,” Cunningham said. “We are able to expand tuition waivers to juniors, and that made a difference.”

An additional 9.8 percent enrollment increase occurred in the graduate program, where 191 students are enrolled in master’s level courses.

Enrollment at the main campus in Alva totaled 1,283 students. Northwestern-Enid reported 189 students, and Northwestern-Woodward has 209 students.

Students enrolled at outreach sites, including the University Center of Ponca City, totaled 192. A total of 815 students also are enrolled in online courses.