Jax State Posts Highest Spring Enrollment in 15 Years 

02/10/2024


Nursing students on the first day of classes for the Spring 2024 semester.

by Buffy Lockette

After shattering its all-time enrollment record each fall for the past three years, Jacksonville State University has seen the trend continue into the spring semester – posting its highest spring enrollment since 2009.  
  
University officials finalized census numbers for Spring 2024 this week, calculating a total enrollment of 8,887 students, exceeding the previous record from Spring 2009 by 134 students. Compared to Spring 2023, enrollment increased by 220 students, or 2.54 percent, this spring.  


“Along with our focus on increasing the enrollment of new students, the campus has made a collaborative effort to ensure our returning students stay consistently enrolled,” said Jessica Wiggins, associate vice president for enrollment management. “As we continue to make strides in recruitment, it is our goal to maintain a superior student experience with ample support for students to complete their degree.” 
  
Jax State students are also taking more classes. Credit hour production increased 3.48 percent this spring compared to Spring 2023, reflecting a 3.23 percent increase among undergraduates and a 6.17 percent increase among graduate students. Credit hour production measures the number of hours of course credit students are enrolled in.  
  
Additional enrollment milestones for Spring 2024 include:  
  • The largest spring undergraduate enrollment since Spring 2012 
  • The largest spring international student enrollment since Spring 2018 
  • A 193.5 percent increase in first-time freshman compared to Spring 2023 
  • A 3.1 percent increase in graduate students compared to Spring 2023 
  • A 7.7 percent increase in dual enrollment students compared to Spring 2023 
  • A 109.5 percent increase in international students compared to Spring 2023 

“At Jax State, we are committed to providing students access to a quality education, as well as providing them the tools they need to succeed in college,” said President Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. “Over the next decade, the highest job demand in Alabama will be for employees with a bachelor’s degree or higher, so Jacksonville State is striving to do its part to provide the state an educated workforce ready to support our growing economy.” 

Enrollment for the Summer 2024 semester will open on March 11, with classes set to begin May 9. Applications for admission are now open for both summer and fall.