The number of degree-seeking student enrollment has increased about 5 percent from 1417 fall of 2016 to 1496 fall of 2017.
1331 students are incoming freshmen and 165 are transfer students.
Regina Morin, vice president for enrollment said the majority of the increase came from Missouri. Morin said this makes sense because in-state tuition is more affordable.
“It would be natural that Missouri would be where the gain is,” Morin said. “[Parents and students] are looking for the best value for the investment.”
Morin said some factors contributing to the increase were FAFSA being available earlier and the coordinated effort of the office of admission, the financial aid office, and information technology to get financial aid letters out in a timely manner.
Morin said the university’s participation in the Common Application made Truman more accessible to students.
Truman has only been apart of the Common Application for 2 years, being the only public university in Missouri to participate in it.
Since the common application has no application fee, more students were able apply.
Morin said the holistic model of the Common Application with an essay fit well with Truman’s admissions approach, but the University did not want to join the Application if it required students to submit a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher.
Morin said the new on-campus housing system, StarRez, and a customer relationship site, Slate, made communication between admissions counselors and students easier and more friendly.
Morin said the center for international students is doing a good job at making Truman seem welcoming and friendly in a time where it is hard to do so.
“They absolutely did almost the impossible,” said Morin. “They stayed the course and they just kept trying to convey that Truman is an atmosphere of support.”
Dave Rector, vice president for administration, finance and planning, said the increase in enrollment was good news and the most recent group of new students was the largest in recent years.
Rector said the ultimate goal of the university is to grow.
“Our goal is around 6,200 to 6,300. That’s where we hope to be,” Rector said. “That’s about right for our housing and right for our classroom sizes.”
Rector said it’s necessary to have new students fill residence halls because it costs money to maintain them with all the wear and tear they receive over the years.
Rector said money would still be lost because almost every Truman student received a scholarship, but the increase is still good.