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MISSOULA – Spring semester enrollment is rising again at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, marking the sixth consecutive semester of enrollment growth at the public flagship institution. 

UM reports 10,349 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ enrolled in classes this spring, a 2.4% increase over the spring 2023 semester. More Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are enrolled at UM for spring semester than any year since 2019.

“Not only are more Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ choosing UM, but they are persevering towards graduation at a record rate,” said UM President Seth Bodnar. “As a result of these efforts, we are seeing benefits to our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ beyond consecutive years of enrollment and revenue growth. These impactful strides are leading to improved graduation rates, increased scholarly impact and expanded job opportunities for our graduates.”

The year-over-year growth in enrollment is driven by a 3.4% increase in undergraduate student enrollment as compared to last spring – including an 86.8% retention rate of undergraduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who returned to campus following the completion of the fall semester. 

Last fall, UM reported a 76% retention rate, which measures the proportion of Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who persist between their first and second year at UM. This is the largest first-to-second year retention rate ever recorded at UM.

Missoula College, UM’s two-year college affiliate, welcomed 1,092 early admit and dual enrollment Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ from primarily Missoula-area high schools. These Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are full-time high school Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who enroll in Missoula College courses to begin earning higher education credit.

The number of full-time equivalent Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ at UM this spring increased by 2.4% -- including a 4.6% increase at Missoula College.

In December, over 800 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ graduated from UM at the conclusion of the fall 2023 semester.

Other highlights from UM’s 2024 spring census report include:

• 84 first-time entering freshmen, a 20% increase compared to 2023.
• 142 incoming transfer Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, a 34% increase compared to 2023.
• 255 law school Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, a 4.5% increase compared to 2023.
• 6,704 Montana resident Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ enrolled, a 3.2% increase compared to 2023.

UM’s spring 2024 census report is available online.

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Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM director of strategic communication, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu