Missouri students head back to universities even as nationwide enrollment declines

COLUMBIA (WGEM) - Students are heading back to Missouri’s biggest university this week, the University of Missouri. The school continues to attract people from all over the state, despite a nationwide decline in higher education enrollment.

Final enrollment numbers are not available yet for this semester, but the university has seen steady numbers just above 30,000 total students for the past six years. That’s still lower than its 2015 high of 36,000 students. However, that’s not uncommon nationwide. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows a 15% decline in college enrollment nationwide since 2015 - and that’s expected to continue.

But still, Mizzou attracts students like incoming freshman Lauren Garrett; she said attending Mizzou is a family affair.

“I’ve always wan