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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (Sept. 12, 2019) — Milligan College welcomed a record-breaking 1,332 students to campus this fall.
For the first time in the college’s 150-year history, student enrollment surpassed 1,300 students. This is an 8% increase over last fall’s enrollment.
Milligan President Dr. Bill Greer announced this milestone today during the college’s weekly chapel service held in Seeger Chapel, followed by a celebratory cake for students in the McCormick Dining Center.
“Our record enrollment is certainly a number to celebrate,” said Greer. “We are especially thankful for the people behind that number—our students who are preparing for lives of service and our faculty and staff who care about our students and work hard to help them achieve their goals.”
This record number is bolstered by a large incoming class that is also one of the strongest academically, attaining an average GPA of 3.78 and an ACT average of 25.
Student retention remains strong at 89% overall and 74% for freshman-to-sophomore retention. The college has several programs to ensure students succeed, including faculty and peer mentoring programs, free tutoring, and the Office of Student Success. These programs, coupled with a low student-to-faculty ratio, foster a community of support and meet the individual needs of students.
The college’s continued growth in graduate programs also plays a key role, with graduate students swelling to 32% of total enrollment. Milligan now offers 10 master’s degrees and three doctoral programs.
Milligan’s students now represent more than 35 states and 30 countries. While most colleges and universities have seen a decrease in international students in recent years, Milligan’s international students grew by 28% from last year and now comprise 5% of the entire student body.
In addition, Milligan continues to rise in national college rankings for its quality and value. In U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 “Best Colleges” report, Milligan jumped 10 spots to No. 13 among the “Best Regional Universities” in the South and ranked No. 4 among the “Best Value Schools” in the same category. Milligan also ranked among Kiplinger’s 2019 “Best College Values,” a national poll of private universities, and in Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck Colleges,” which evaluates both public and private schools in the South.
To learn more about Milligan, visit www.milligan.edu.