Enrollment numbers for St. Cloud State University were once again down for Fall 2019.

According to an email message to faculty and staff from Jason Woods, the Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, enrollment dropped down to 12,608 students this year. That is down from 13,467 last year and 15,092 in in 2016. These are preliminary numbers and are based off the first 30 days of the school year. The Minnesota State system office will release official numbers later this month.

Applications to the university were also down a total of 964 from a year ago, however the university admitted 6% more students from 2018. There were also 56 less new freshman coming to campus this year and 140 less transfer students.

The schools retention rate is always an area of concern for Woods with the fall-to-fall retention rate of first year full-time students was at 66.7% from last year to this year. That is down from last year’s retention rate of 71.7%.

Woods says that the university will work together to improve the retention rates for all students .

Woods will be presenting the Fall 20-21 enrollment plan next Wednesday, October 16^th from 2-3 p.m. in the Atwood Theater. If you are unable to attend the event, it will also be streamed and recorded.