Enrollment has increased in a variety of categories this spring at Rogers State University.
The overall headcount at the university’s campuses in Claremore, Bartlesville and Pryor is 3,648 students, an increase of three percent over last spring. The number of student credit hours on all campuses also has increased. This spring marks the 17th semester than RSU has recorded an increase in enrollment since the university was accredited as a four-year institution in 2000, earning it the title of one of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing universities.
“RSU has continued to record sizeable enrollment increases at a time when most other colleges and universities in the state have experienced level enrollment or a slight decline,” said RSU President Dr. Joe Wiley. “The consistent enrollment increases at RSU are indicative of the demand for higher education in northeastern Oklahoma and the university’s response to that demand, which has been to offer innovative, relevant degree programs.”
A significant rise in the number of area high school students enrolled in classes at RSU contributed to the increase in enrollment. This spring, 218 high school seniors and juniors are enrolled in concurrent classes at RSU, compared to 77 students last spring, an increase of 183 percent. Much of the increase in concurrent enrollment can be attributed to a new program at RSU that offers free tuition to high school students who enroll in college classes.
Enrollment increases also were significant at the RSU campus in Bartlesville, where headcount is up by 30 percent to 740 students this spring, including students taking classes online and on-site at the new RSU campus in downtown Bartlesville.
“Many students have clearly been attracted by increased course offerings and better, more efficient services at our large, new facility in Bartlesville,” Wiley said.
Enrollment begins April 3 for the upcoming summer and fall semesters, and a May intersession which will be offered on May 8-19. A special early enrollment day for first-time freshmen will be held on Saturday, April 1. For more information, call (918) 343-7546 or 1-800-256-7511.