Missouri universities increase enrollment

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Despite some hefty tuition and fee increases, most of the state's universities are reporting record or near-record enrollment as the new school year begins.

Some experts say the increase is likely caused by the faltering economy, which is sending more people back to school.

A record number of students started classes Monday at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Preliminary figures indicate all-time highs in undergraduate and freshman enrollment and a 4.4 percent increase in graduate enrollment.

At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where classes began last week, enrollment is up 7.9 percent.

And in Cape Girardeau, preliminary figures released last week indicated that Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau would have record-breaking enrollment.

The report put the undergraduate and graduate count at 8,753, up 5 percent from 8,342 at this time last year. Southeast administrators say they expect enrollment will end up exceeding last year's all-time high of 9,352.

The increases come despite a 14 percent increase in tuition at the four-campus University of Missouri system over to last fall's rates. The tuition increases were approved because of state budget cuts caused by a struggling economy.

"When the economy is down, there are not a lot of job opportunities," said Phil Gardner, director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University. "More people tend to enroll for college credit, especially young people. If the jobs out there don't pay well, there's always the option to go to college."

At Mizzou

At Missouri, 24,904 students are enrolled, an increase of 998 students, or 4.2 percent, from last fall.

University officials touted the school's academic excellence, but conceded the economy might be another factor.

"It may be the economy. There are no jobs out there," said Joe Camille, the school's director of financial aid.

To accommodate the amount of students, Missouri has increased the size of some classes or opened new sections of the same course.

And Frankie Minor, director of residential life, said Missouri is leasing dormitory space for 131 male students from nearby Stephens College. Some campus buildings also have been returned to use as dormitories.

At UMKC, enrollment is up for the fourth consecutive year, to 11,088.

Mel Tyler, assistant vice chancellor, said he had anecdotal evidence of students returning to UMKC because of the economy.

"What we've seen is students coming back that really want to change careers and study in a different area," Tyler said. "We have seen some students come back who have not been successful in their search."

Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield also projects record-high enrollment this fall of about 20,450 students, up from 20,006. It's the sixth straight year of growth since the university strengthened its admissions requirements in the mid-1990s, said Paul Kincaid, the director of university relations.

Kincaid downplayed the effect of the economy. He said the stronger admissions standards have made the university more attractive.

The rise in tuition has not deterred students.

"Nobody likes to pay more," Kincaid said, "but our students, their first concern is quality. As long as we're good about showing why we need the increase to maintain the quality, they've been supportive."

Budget cuts have hurt enrollment at some public institutions. Officials at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg says enrollment is down about 200 students, or 1.8 percent.

Central Missouri spokesman Jeff Murphy said the school was forced to drop its enrollment manager. Cutbacks also forced tuition up by 17 percent.

"It's really a highly competitive atmosphere among all public colleges," Murphy said. "Some colleges have done some more extensive recruiting. Our budget cuts hampered that ability."