Private and Christian colleges in the Springfield area reported enrollment growth going into the 2024-25 year based on how many students showed up the first day.
The preliminary headcount rarely tells the full story of fall enrollment, which is why the official census takes place weeks into the semester, but is a critical forerunner.
Evangel University — which had the latest starting date this fall, Aug. 28 — reported 2,628 students on the first day, breaking the 2,600 threshold for the first time.
Erin Hedlun, chief marking and communications officer, said the number marks a 4.8% increase over the prior year. “If it holds — numbers (are) in flux until census — this will make for the fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth.”
Chris Belcher, vice president for enrollment management at Evangel, noted higher education enrollment has been on the decline nationally for much of the past decade.
“The trend is down. In enrollment, in my industry, all my compadres, they are like ‘flat is the new up,'” he said, noting it is a challenge for many campuses to maintain a consistent headcount.