Yellowstone Times

Montana State University has reported a record spring enrollment of 16,237 students for the year 2025. This marks the fifth consecutive year of growth in spring semester enrollment at the university, which is the largest in Montana. The new figure represents a 1% increase from last year's spring enrollment.

The total number of students includes 1,989 graduate students and a record number of 14,248 undergraduates. Among these, 8,187 are Montana residents, making up just over half of the student body.

MSU President Waded Cruzado commented on this achievement: “As Montana’s land-grant university, Montana State is proud to provide our students with opportunities that lead to academic success and career readiness. A record enrollment is more than a number: It reflects MSU’s commitment to fostering access to higher education and, ultimately, service to the people and communities of Montana and beyond.”

Additionally, MSU Vice President Steve Swinford noted the high retention rate from fall to spring semester: “This level of persistence among our students is tremendous. MSU’s demonstrated success in keeping our students enrolled is the result of concerted, university-wide efforts to provide support services that create an environment where students are empowered to push through challenges and stay on the path to graduation.”

Efforts contributing to this retention include improvements in registration processes and communication via the NavMSU app. The university has also increased course capacities and provided personalized advising.

Furthermore, MSU set a new record for full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment at 14,408. This indicates that more students are taking additional credits per semester without incurring extra tuition costs beyond their first 12 credits each term.

Provost Robert Mokwa highlighted faculty contributions: “Faculty at Montana State are the heart of our students’ success... Our faculty empower students to reach their full potential.”

Gallatin College MSU also saw growth with a headcount increase of 5.8%, reaching a record spring enrollment of 1,410. Dual-enrollment student numbers rose by 10.7% compared to last spring.

In September, MSU announced its fall enrollment had reached a historic high with over 17,000 students for the first time in state history.