Central Methodist University’s new student enrollment numbers showed an impressive improvement over the previous year. The Fayette campus posted a first-day number of 452 new students for the year, up significantly from 2023. Fall semester classes began last week.

“In a very difficult recruiting cycle, we have an amazingly strong incoming class,” said Dr. Roger Drake, president of the University. “Dr. Mace and her entire staff worked tirelessly to make this possible, and now we will be able to provide an excellent education and experience to so many new students.”

Dr. Mace serves as vice president for enrollment management. She said the entire enrollment management team put so much heartfelt effort into recruiting the best students for Central this year. “I am especially proud of their adaptability and hard work throughout this cycle.”

Aside from the efforts of the enrollment management staff, Central’s product itself remains a strong draw for undergraduate students. The continued success of the athletics programs, fully engaged faculty in the classrooms, robust student life, constant upgrades to the beautiful campus, and a welcoming community – along with the unique opportunities provided by the DigitalU program – are all factors contributing to the growth of each class of freshmen and transfer students.

In addition to the success on the Fayette campus, the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES), led by Provost Rita Gulstad, also posted impressive numbers, with 2,839 students enrolled on the first day across satellite campuses and online learning – including Central’s innovative program for educating individuals in Missouri’s prisons.

Central’s partnerships with community colleges across the state remain strong, allowing students to seamlessly transition to CMU to pursue bachelor’s degrees or other options. Online and graduate degree programs also continue to grow, providing more choices than ever for non-traditional learners who desire to experience the Central Methodist advantage in their education.

The Central Methodist staff is already looking forward to building on an exciting year for 2025-26.

“We are already working hard to share the Central story in new and exciting ways this year, after all we’ve learned in our first year together,” said Mace, who began her tenure at CMU in May 2023. “The opportunities we have with energetic new band and choir directors, talented new coaches, and dedicated new faculty members are all very exciting for us as we begin our work with the next class of incoming students.”

The total enrollment for the University in the first week was 3,879, including both Fayette and CGES students. Totals will become official in October with the university census.