Mississippi College 2009 Enrollment Sets Record
MC enrolled 4,847 students last fall and that mark shattered previous records at the time. MC began its new academic year with classes starting Aug. 26. It represents an increase of 40 students compared to a year ago, according to new reports from the registrar's office Sept. 4.
In the midst of the nation's lingering economic troubles, MC leaders are delighted to see enrollment grow. "We are pleased to see a small increase in enrollment this year despite the tough economic times affecting us all,'' said Jim Turcotte, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs.
"In recent years we have had substantial growth that has led to higher enrollment through retention,'' Turcotte said. " All of our campus community have worked very hard this past year to help ensure that we continue to see enrollment increases.''
The slight uptick for MC enrollment comes after the Baptist-affiliated university received kudos in "Forbes" magazine in early August as one of America's top 25 "Best College Buys."
"Forbes" put MC in company with such schools as the University of Texas, Florida State University and the University of Florida. One of the nation's leading business publications, the magazine looked at student/faculty awards, faculty salaries, graduation rates and academic quality when sizing up affordability in its annual survey.
Initial reports Monday from the registrar's office show transfer student numbers are up, and the enrollment at the MC School of Law in downtown Jackson remained steady compared to a year ago. The master's in business administration program is packed with more than 250 students. The M.B.A. in the School of Business is the oldest and largest in metro Jackson.
School leaders believe more Mississippians are pursuing graduate degrees and other college programs to retool their careers in light of the shaky economy. At the moment, the U.S. unemployment rate is hovering around 9.5 percent, and the figure is higher in the Magnolia State.
MC sophomore Katie Young said the university's Christian atmosphere, small classes plus the price were the biggest selling points. "I have scholarships and they are great," said the psychology major from Jackson, Tenn. "Even though I'm from out of state, it beats (costs) in-state."
Young decided to visit MC after a family friend's daughter attended Mississippi College. "As soon as I stepped out of the car I knew I would go here," she said on the Clinton campus Monday.
A Tennessee native who hopes to attend graduate school and go into the counseling field, Young said she would recommend MC to friends and family in West Tennessee, including her 14-year-old sibling.
Among other MC gains: there are 29 students enrolled in the doctoral program in educational leadership. That's up from 15 when the program began in the School of Education about a year ago.
A new on-line nursing program for the RN-B.S.N allows students to work full-time while pursuing a nursing degree. About 15 students are enrolled, said School of Nursing Dean Mary Jean Padgett.
MC is also seeing a growing number of students in classes to pursue a teaching career via the alternate route, say leaders in the School of Education. And numbers are also on the upswing in the university's new engineering/physics program.
For Lakesha Cole, an employee at the Oakley Training School, MC's strong academic reputation convinced her to pursue a graduate degree this fall in marriage and family counseling. "I heard it is an excellent program," said the 32-year-old Jackson resident, a University of Southern Mississippi graduate.
Other positive developments for Mississippi College in recent days include its mention in the "U.S. News & World Report" 2010 guide released in August.
The magazine's "America's Best Colleges" rankings puts MC No. 11 among Southern universities - master's level in the category of "Great Schools at Great Prices." MC's tuition and fees of $14,571 for 2008-2009 were listed as the second best among the top 15 schools in the region cited by the magazine. The Citadel of South Carolina, one of the nation's premier military schools, held the No. 1 spot.
MC leaders also say the university's international enrollment this fall stands at about 300 students. Coming from 26 nations, including China, India and Nepal, the international student numbers are close to levels last fall.
The slight growth in the university's enrollment is seeing another trend continue. Residence halls - from Chrestman to Whittington - remain filled to capacity at MC.
While student numbers are rising, MC officials hope many of them show up at Robinson-Hale Stadium Saturday night for the opening of the 2009 football season. MC faces Millsaps in the Backyard Brawl. Kickoff for the clash between the metro Jackson rivals is at 7 p.m.
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