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More students are coming to campus…and more are staying
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (Sept. 13, 2004) — Milligan College announced today that total enrollment for the fall 2004 semester is 8.9 percent higher than last year. The total student headcount of 916 is just 11 students from the Christian liberal arts college’s all-time high of 927 in 1998.
“We’re certainly pleased with enrollment this fall,” said President Donald R. Jeanes. “A nine percent gain in one year is a considerable jump and a great achievement for the entire college community.”
Jeanes said the enrollment growth is a combination of a growing freshman class and record high student retention.
“In other words, more new students are coming to campus, but more importantly they are liking their college experience and are staying through to their graduation,” said Jeanes.
Vice President for Enrollment Management David Mee reported that the college has placed increased emphasis in recent years on retention and student success programming, with notable success. Overall spring-to-fall retention of sophomores, juniors and seniors for fall 2004 is 90.6 percent, a college record and well-above the national average.
“Milligan has worked very hard at not only attracting and enrolling students, but delivering a quality education, helping them continue to afford that education, and ensuring that they graduate not only with a diploma but with an experience and knowledge-base that will serve them for life,” said Jeanes.
Mee said the college exceeded its goals in all categories – undergraduate, non-traditional, and graduate programs. The freshman class increased 5.5 percent, while overall undergraduate enrollment grew 2.8 percent.
Graduate programs also saw increases, with Master of Education (M.Ed.) up 16.7 percent and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) up 12.8 percent. The college’s newest program, the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), enrolled its second cohort class this month and has also exceeded enrollment projections.
“Our growth is a culmination of about three years of reengineering the way we approach student recruitment, admission, retention, marketing and other key areas. Milligan has long been an outstanding liberal arts college – we are now working harder at finding more effective ways to share our mission with a broader audience,” said Mee.
Milligan’s student body represents 33 states and 10 foreign countries. 51 percent are from Tennessee , with Indiana , Virginia , Ohio , Florida and North Carolina making up another 28 percent.