Iowa Wesleyan sees enrollment growth

This fall, Iowa Wesleyan University saw significant enrollment growth, posting its highest overall enrollment in more a decade and the largest number of new students in 86 years.

The university's fall census boasted an undergraduate enrollment of 669, a 13% increase over last fall. This growth is a 20% increase over the past three years and a 41% increase over the past five years.

The overall enrollment of 835, a 15% increase over last fall, reflects growth in the university's graduate and online programs and the undergraduate program. This growth is a 58% increase over the past five years.

"We feel very fortunate to have this solid enrollment for fall 2021, especially amid all the challenges presented by the pandemic," President Christine Plunkett said. "I am extremely proud of our faculty and staff for their remarkable devotion to our students as our enrollment trends is a direct reflection of a team effort on our campus."

This growth in students has pushed campus housing to its capacity. As the university expects to continue to experience enrollment growth for the future, campus housing and facilities have been a focus of discussions throughout the strategic planning process that is currently underway.

"We are tremendously excited to have the largest new student enrollment in over eight decades," Meg Richtman, vice president for enrollment, marketing and communications. "While Iowa Wesleyan has focused on new student success initiatives to recruit and support our diverse community of students, the shift back to the NAIA athletic association provided new and exciting opportunities for students."

The new partnership with Southeastern Community College (the Southeast Iowa Higher Education Alliance) increased enrollment, with 15 students transferring through the alliance this fall. The regional awareness also has increased the number of new Iowa students by 42% from last fall.

The university was able to bring back its international student enrollment to near pre-COVID numbers. This fall, nearly 100 international students are on campus representing 34 countries.

Iowa Wesleyan's online and graduate programs continue to see solid enrollment growth.

Comments: (319) 931-3393; hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com