After five straight years of record-breaking enrollment numbers, State Tech announced this week that the school is the fastest-growing college in Missouri both in overall size and total enrollment.

According to a recent article by the Chronicle of Higher Education titled, “Last Year’s Winners and Losers in Undergraduate Enrollment,” State Tech saw a 17% increase in enrollment by adding 120 first-time full-time students between 2019 and 2020. State Tech was able to achieve these results while, “a steady stream of surveys last year revealed drops in undergraduate enrollment, by 3.6 percent in the fall and 4.9 percent in the spring,” said author Jacquelyn Elias.  

Overall, the state of Missouri saw overall enrollment decline by 4.5%, losing 8,100 total students. State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong believes it is the school’s 99% job placement rate and its value proposition as “The Employers’ Choice” that allowed the college to buck that trend. 

“Recruiting students had been incredibly challenging the last two years as a result of COVID-19,” said Dr. Strong. “It speaks volumes about State Tech when we can continue to add students during the pandemic. We do one thing and we do it better than anyone: develop a skilled workforce.  Currently, we are ranked in the top five by eight different organizations. Our outcomes and reputation have helped make this growth possible.” 

The growth mentioned above does not account for continued growth from 2020 and 2021. State Tech set another enrollment record this year. On Tuesday, Aug. 24th, State Tech welcomed a record-breaking number of students to campus, eclipsing 2,000 students for the first time.  

A Census Day enrollment of 2,025 students equals a 5% increase from last year. Over the last five years, State Tech’s enrollment has grown 61%.