Fall Enrollment Slips Slightly at Missouri Colleges, But Community Colleges See Growth

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - Fall enrollment at Missouri’s colleges and universities dipped just under one percent compared to 2024, according to new data presented to the Coordinating Board of Higher Education last week.

Despite the decline, state officials say overall numbers remain strong, with more than 315,000 students enrolled across Missouri’s two-year public institutions, four-year public universities, and four-year independent colleges. State higher education officials reported that enrollment decreases were concentrated at four-year public and private universities.

Community and technical colleges, however, saw meaningful growth. The two-year public institutions reported increases in both one-year and five-year enrollment trends, while public universities were flat or slightly down over the past year. Fall enrollment at community and technical colleges is now five percent higher than it was a year ago.

Missouri institutions did see a significant loss of international students. Data for public four-year institutions shows a 32 percent drop in international enrollment compared to fall 2024, a decrease of roughly 3,500 students statewide.

There were other notable increases in student demographics. Black student enrollment climbed nine percent over last fall, and Hispanic enrollment is up 30 percent compared to 2020.