Fall enrollment at the University of Mississippi, excluding the University of Mississippi Medical Center, totals 18,800 students, according to figures released Tuesday by the Institutions of Higher Learning. This is a 0.7% increase compared to fall 2020. 

Enrollment at UMMC increased by 1.6%, bringing its total number of students to 3,056 for fall 2021. 

Overall, enrollment at Mississippi’s public universities decreased 0.8% year over year, totaling 76,510 students in the system for fall 2021.

“This steady enrollment is a testament to (students’) dedication, even in the face of adversities brought on by the pandemic,” said Alfred Rankins Jr., Mississippi commissioner of higher education. “As each student graduates and moves into the workforce, their perseverance will benefit not only themselves but also the businesses and organizations in which they work and the economy.”

Delta State University showed the largest enrollment decrease, with 9.1% fewer students in fall 2021 (2,727 students) than in fall 2020. 

Alcorn State University, Mississippi University for Women and the University of Southern Mississippi showed decreases in enrollment, while Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University gained students.

Enrollment at all UM campuses rose consistently between 2011 and 2016 — a 16.5% increase during that period. However, from 2016-2021, total enrollment decreased by 9.9%. Excluding UMMC’s student body from the tally, the loss of enrollment at UM over those years is 13.9%.  In 2016, the university boasted 21,260 students, not including UMMC. This fall the enrollment number is 18,800, excluding UMMC. 

“Enrollment fluctuates from year to year for many reasons — demographics, the economy, state of the job market, etc,” said Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Eduardo Prieto. “And the COVID-19 global pandemic has had an impact on higher education enrollment as enrollment dropped nationally more than 6% over the past two years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.”

However, Mississippi State University’s enrollment levels have been on a constant rise for six consecutive years. MSU has maintained the largest fall enrollment among state universities this fall, with 23,086 students, a 0.4% increase over fall 2020.

Decrease in college enrollment is a trend nationwide. According to the Education Data Initiative, college enrollments total 17.5 million undergraduate students nationwide. However, college enrollment has declined 1.67% per year since 2010.