Iowa Wesleyan sees enrollment increase

MT. PLEASANT - Even in the face of COVID-19, Iowa Wesleyan University is seeing increases in enrollment.

The university reported a 13 percent rise in its 2020-2021 enrollment as compared to the previous academic year with a total of 729 undergraduate and graduate students.

It is the university's largest enrollment since 2011, according to a news release from the school. The increase in enrollment continues a five-year trend for the university.

Additionally, the university has seen a 63 percent retention rate among first-year undergraduate students.

'This is a significant achievement following many years with retention rates below 50 percent,” the release notes, adding concerted efforts over the last five years toward retention has seen a 17 percent increase in retention overall and a 31 percent improvement in retention in first year students.

The university reports a 54 percent increase in new domestic undergraduate students over the last year but saw a slight drop in international students due to restrictions in light of the pandemic. The new class of students is the largest the university has had since 2009.

'Over the past year, the IW community has paid increasing attention to the unique niche of students we serve,” university President Christine Plunkett said.

'I am incredibly proud of the campuswide effort put forth by our admissions, athletic and student success staff and our faculty and other staff members to support each student from the moment they enroll at the university. These remarkable increases in enrollment, retention and persistence are a testament to those efforts,” she added.