Enrollment is down at Minot State University this fall.

The university reported 2,920 students were enrolled during the fourth week of classes, a decline of 6.4 % compared to the same time in the fall of 2019.

According to information provided by MSU, Minot State continued to see solid overall freshman class numbers reporting 396 new students. It was the third highest total in the past seven years as MSU has been just under 400 new freshmen for the last three fall semesters. The University reported an increase in new transfer students with 306 enrolled. That total is the highest in the past three years.

“While Minot State’s overall enrollment this fall is down slightly compared to last year, we are pleased with our overall new freshmen numbers, new transfer totals, and the growth in online enrollment,” said Minot State President Steven Shirley. “Given the many questions of the past several months and the uncertainties we know some families and students have experienced in making educational plans due to COVID, we are satisfied with our overall enrollment.

“Our number one focus throughout this pandemic has been and continues to be on the safe return to on-campus classes this fall.”

MSU reported substantial growth in online enrollment with 1,524 students taking at least one class in an online format, an increase of 20.6% over last year and over 400 more students than 2018’s total. Minot State also reported an increase in total full-time graduate students with 112 for the fall semester, the fourth highest total in over a decade.