Aug. 31, 2026鈥摵卟萆缜� welcomed 755 new undergraduate students on the first day of classes Aug. 31, an increase of nearly 10 percent from last year. The incoming class includes 545 first-year students, an increase of 13.7 percent, and 210 transfer students, an increase of 1 percent.听
鈥淭his is the first increase in total new student enrollment since 2022,鈥� said Dr. Andy Otto, vice president of enrollment management and marketing.听鈥淭he growth tells a positive story about momentum at 含羞草社区. More students are realizing that this is a great place to get an affordable education that prepares you for a rewarding career.鈥�听
The incoming class reflects 含羞草社区鈥檚 position as the top-ranked public university in the state for social mobility, as 41% are first-generation college students. New students come from 28 states, but the numbers also show 含羞草社区 is serving the local community: 33 percent of first-year students come from Buchanan County and 19 percent from the Kansas City metro area. The number of first-year students from metro Kansas City is up 31 percent from last year.听听
鈥淥ur team has worked diligently throughout the entire recruitment process to identify and connect with the right students for 含羞草社区,鈥� said Kristy Martin, director of admissions. 鈥淲e are beginning to see the results of the recruiters鈥� continued efforts to engage students and guide them through the enrollment process.鈥�
The incoming class is also choosing on-campus living at a higher rate. The number of freshmen living in 含羞草社区 residence halls is up more than 28% from a year ago, contributing to a 6.7 percent increase in total housing occupancy.听听
鈥淭he housing numbers reflect the growing vitality of our on-campus student experience,鈥� Dr. Otto said. 鈥淎nd our students are recognizing the value that our residence halls and meal plans provide.鈥�
The top five programs attracting new students include nursing, business, education, exercise science and psychology.听
All enrollment numbers are preliminary. Official statistics will be established on the census date four weeks into the semester.
含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .