Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship has reported record enrollment and retention rates one year after making significant changes to its curriculum. According to university data released in September, the business college saw a 5.25% increase in enrollment from fall 2024 to fall 2025, reaching a total of 2,427 students. The number of new first-year students rose by 8.7%, totaling 623 freshmen. The college also achieved an 80% retention rate for first-year students continuing into their sophomore year, which is a record high and represents a 6.2% increase over the previous year.
The Jake Jabs College remains the largest business school in the region covering Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Brian Gillespie, dean of the business college, said that first-year retention rates are an important measure of student success at Montana State University. “We want our students to succeed and feel supported academically at MSU, and that starts the minute that freshmen walk into their first class,” Gillespie said. “A year out from our curriculum changes, every indicator shows that our introductory courses equip students with the skills they need to feel confident in continuing their education and professional pursuits.”
Two current sophomores described positive experiences with the new introductory courses implemented last year. The fall course BGEN 104 focuses on professional development and helps students navigate academic writing as well as create resumes, cover letters, and elevator pitches. The spring course BGEN 204 builds on these skills with an emphasis on communication and critical thinking while introducing basic business topics.
Sofia Ierardi, a sophomore majoring in business marketing, said her first-year classes were valuable for building confidence and clarifying her interest in marketing. She described an assignment where she conducted an informational interview with Poppi’s former head of marketing: “I learned that having the courage to put myself out there was worth it,” Ierardi said. “Now I’m excited to see everything else I can accomplish from working hard and taking risks.”
Chloe Johnson, another sophomore studying business management, highlighted how her freshman classes provided foundational skills such as public speaking and teamwork. She recalled developing a product idea for real-time campus parking data as part of a group project: “In the business major, the classes really build off each other. I feel like the (intro) classes give a solid overview of business principles and help students figure out if business is right for them,” Johnson said.
Brenda Truman, assistant dean of the college, explained that faculty revised the curriculum based on student feedback over more than a year to make early years more accessible and supportive. Changes included removing an “admission gate” previously required for juniors—criteria such as GPA minimums and specific grades—which Truman said eliminated unnecessary barriers for graduation or switching majors.
Another change was dropping calculus as a requirement for business majors; instead statistics and data analytics are now emphasized due to their relevance for future careers.
“Taken together, these changes shift the focus from hurdles to opportunities,” Truman said. “We’re creating a first-year experience that prioritizes professional development, connection, confidence and curiosity — building the foundation students need to thrive at Jabs and beyond.”
Gillespie added: “It’s been a year since we’ve implemented these curriculum changes, and the growing enrollment and retention numbers are a key indicator we are doing something right. Students are interested in studying business here, and it’s our goal to remove as many barriers as possible preventing someone from getting a competitive education here at MSU.”
