Ole Miss Student Enrollment Statistics: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, stands as a public research university with a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence. This article delves into the university's student enrollment statistics, providing a detailed analysis of trends, demographics, and key factors influencing the student body.

Historical Context and University Overview

The University of Mississippi was chartered on February 24, 1844, by the Mississippi Legislature, and it welcomed its first 80 students in 1848. Throughout its history, Ole Miss has navigated significant events, including operating as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War and facing a race riot in 1962 during the civil rights movement. Today, the university is classified as an "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity," engaging in extensive research through centers like the National Center for Physics Acoustics and the Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research. The university also uniquely operates the country's only federally contracted Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cannabis facility.

The University of Mississippi's Oxford campus is partially located in Oxford and partially in University, Mississippi, a census-designated place. The main campus is situated at an altitude of around 500 feet (150 m), and has expanded from one square mile (260 ha) of land to around 1,200 acres (1.9 sq mi; 490 ha). At the campus' center is "The Circle", which consists of eight academic buildings organized around an ovaloid common. The buildings include the Lyceum (1848), the "Y" Building (1853), and six later buildings constructed in a Neoclassical Revival style. Near the Circle is The Grove, a 10-acre (4.0 ha) plot of land that was set aside by chancellor Robert Burwell Fulton c. 1893, and hosts up to 100,000 tailgaters during home games.

Overall Student Population

The University of Mississippi's student population for the academic year 2023-2024 is 24,043, comprising 19,094 undergraduate students and 4,949 graduate students. This figure reflects a consistent upward trend in enrollment. The university has recorded record enrollment for the second consecutive year, enrolling 27,124 students across its seven campuses. Overall enrollment at the University of Mississippi has grown for the fourth consecutive year, fueled by a record-setting freshman class and strong retention rates. The university has emerged as a top choice of students in Mississippi and the region, with enrollment spiking 11% over last fall. The state’s flagship university in Oxford now enrolls more than 27,000 students, an 11% increase over last year’s headcount.

The average student population over the last 10 years is 22,510, indicating that the current enrollment exceeds the decade-long average. The 2023-2024 academic year sees 79.42% of the student body as undergraduates and 20.58% as graduate students.

Read also: Enrollment at Notre Dame

Trends in Enrollment

Over the past decade, the University of Mississippi has experienced notable shifts in its student demographics. The total number of students has increased by 831. The number of undergraduate students has increased by 309 and the graduate enrollment has increased by 522 over past 10 years.

Undergraduate Enrollment

The average number of undergraduate students over the last 10 years is 17,840, with 19,094 students attending the undergraduate school for the academic year 2023-2024.

Graduate Enrollment

The average number of graduate students over the last 10 years is 4,670, with 4,949 students attending the graduate school for the academic year 2023-2024. The UM Graduate School enrolled 1,092 new graduate students, a 12% increase from last year.

Gender Distribution

The female to male ratio at Ole Miss is 1.39 to 1, indicating a higher enrollment of female students compared to male students. This trend has been consistent over the years, underscoring the university's appeal to female students.

Enrollment by Race and Ethnicity

The racial and ethnic composition of the student body at the University of Mississippi has seen some shifts over the past decade. As of the most recent data:

White students constitute 75.05% of the student population.
Asian students account for 2.40%.
Black students represent 10.94%.

While the percentage of white students has slightly decreased from 75.89% ten years ago, they still represent the majority. The class of 2028 includes a record number of Mississippi residents and students from racial minority populations. As of Fall 2023, minorities composed 23.5 percent of the body.

Distance Learning (Online Courses)

The University of Mississippi has expanded its reach through online education, with 1,776 students exclusively enrolled in online degree programs for the academic year 2023-2024. This represents 7% of the total student population. Since 2015, the number of online students has increased by 54.97%, highlighting the growing demand for flexible learning options.

Factors Influencing Enrollment

Several factors contribute to the University of Mississippi's enrollment trends:

Academic Reputation: The university's classification as an R1 institution and its strong research programs attract high-achieving students.
Location and Campus Environment: The Oxford campus, with its blend of historic and modern architecture, provides an attractive setting for students.
Traditions and Culture: Ole Miss is known for its vibrant campus culture, including traditions like tailgating at The Grove, which enhance student life.
Recruitment and Retention Efforts: The university actively recruits students from Mississippi and beyond, with initiatives aimed at increasing enrollment and retention.
Financial Aid: Forty-four percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, making education more accessible.

Retention and Graduation Rates

The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at the University of Mississippi was 88%. UM students once again outpaced their peers across the country in continuing their education. "In addition to our record-setting enrollment, our retention rate has remained above 87% over the last four years," Ellis said. In pursuit of continued retention and graduation success, the university created the Division of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement. The four-year graduation rate is 55%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $45,336.

Rankings and Recognition

In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, University of Mississippi is ranked No. 171 in National Universities and No. 92 in Top Public Schools. The student-faculty ratio at University of Mississippi is 17:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.

Read also: Inside UNH's Student Body

Costs and Financial Aid

The school's in-state tuition and fees are $9,772; out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,600. Forty-four percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $13,504. In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at University of Mississippi is $9,252, which is $−21,751 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004). After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $14,946. In 2023, 73% of undergraduate students attending University of Mississippi received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 33% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Student Life and Activities

The University of Mississippi offers a vibrant campus life with numerous activities and organizations. A common greeting on campus is "Hotty Toddy!", which is also used in the school chant. On football game days, the Grove hosts an elaborate tailgating tradition. The Associated Student Body (ASB) is the university's student government organization. The University of Mississippi's marching band The Pride of the South performs in-concert and at athletic events.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The University of Mississippi boasts a distinguished roster of alumni, faculty, and affiliates, including 27 Rhodes Scholars, 10 governors, 5 US senators, a head of government, and a Nobel Prize Laureate. Other alumni have received accolades in the arts such as Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Pulitzer Prizes. With the early emphasis on classical studies, multiple notable classicists including George Tucker Stainback, Wilson Gaines Richardson, and William Hailey Willis, have held teaching positions at the University of Mississippi. Former Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove was a political science lecturer, and Kyle Duncan was an assistant law professor prior to his appointment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Future Outlook

The University of Mississippi is poised for continued growth and development. The university has recorded record enrollment for the second consecutive year, enrolling 27,124 students across its seven campuses. The University of Mississippi saw the largest increase in enrollment between 2023 and 2024, with an 11 percent, or 2,400 student increase year over year. "Our growth reflects the University of Mississippi’s position as a thriving destination of choice for higher education,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. The opening of new facilities like the Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation enhances the university's academic capabilities and attracts more students. As Ole Miss continues to adapt to changing demographics and educational needs, it remains a vital institution in the state of Mississippi and a prominent player in higher education.

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