Columbus State reaches record enrollment

Columbus State University has the most students enrolled in the 57-year history of the institution.

The fall 2015 figures released Thursday show CSU's enrollment at 8,440 -- an increase of 3 percent over last year's total. The university's previous record enrollment was 8,307 in 2011.

"To record an enrollment increase of 3 percent is incredibly impressive, and is a credit to the faculty, staff, facilities, community and programs we have here," CSU president Chris Markwood said in a news releases. "It's particularly notable since enrollment at colleges and universities around the country is largely stagnant and actually falling in some cases."

Markwood was the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi before he became CSU's fifth president June 1. He succeeded Tim Mescon, who retired Dec. 31 after six years leading Columbus State.

Here are CSU's six most recent fall enrollment figures:

2015: 8,440

2014: 8,194

2013: 8,164

2012: 8,239

2011: 8,307

2010: 8,298

The enrollment jump of 3 percent is CSU's largest increase since 2008 and continues to turn around the declining trend from 2011-13, when enrollment dropped at most institutions of higher education in Georgia.

"Obviously our message is getting out to high-achieving students around the state that Columbus State University is not only an attractive option, but often a first choice for college students," Markwood said in the release. "Our tuition is affordable. The quality of our academic programs is on par with many universities. We have great student activities and programming, and we are located in a vibrant, exciting city that's an easy drive to Atlanta, the north Georgia mountains and the Florida beaches."

CSU's news release mentions several factors contributing to the record enrollment. The retention rate rose from 70.16 percent last year to 71.37 this year.

"It's nice to see our retention efforts paying off," Tom Hackett, CSU's provost and vice president for academic affairs, said in the release. "We are using analytics to spot trends and identify students who might be in trouble, and we have assembled a great team of advisors and faculty members who are making sure students know that their success is our first priority."

The number of graduate students grew 14 percent from last year to 1,503 this year, and more students from outside Columbus enrolled. The number of students from the Atlanta metro area increased 9 percent to 1,542 this year. The number of students from other counties rose 12 percent from last year to 1,555 this year.

Other notable details about CSU's fall 2015 enrollment of 8,440:

The number of students from states other than Georgia increased 4 percent from last year to 1,402.

Area high school students who are dually enrolled in CSU classes increased 23 percent from last year to 152.

International enrollment increased 3 percent from last year to 122.

The number of entering first-year students increased 10 percent from last year to 1,020.

Mark Rice, 706-576-6272. Follow him on Twitter@MarkRiceLE.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Columbus State reaches record enrollment ."