Southeastern sets all-time enrollment high in Fall 2023

October 23, 2023

DURANT, Okla. – Continuing a trend over the last decade, Southeastern Oklahoma State University has announced record enrollment and outstanding growth for the Fall 2023 semester.

An overall enrollment of 5,623 students for the Fall 2023 semester marks an increase for the fourth fall in the last five years. This is an increase of 4.6 percent from the Fall 2022 enrollment. Southeastern reported an enrollment of 5,623 as an official preliminary count to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in September after the first Fall census. This preliminary enrollment represents a 4.6 percent increase over the same reported number in the Fall of 2022.

This number grows to an enrollment of 5,831 students when accounting for the census as of the Fall II class start earlier this month. Fall II included the launch of multiple new programs in both undergraduate and graduate disciplines.

Southeastern also reported a 29 percent increase in new freshmen enrollment, and a 49 percent increase in transfer enrollment from Fall of 2022 to Fall of 2023. This equated to a 37 percent increase in new students enrolled this Fall, compared to the same period last year.

“Because of the growth in enrollment, the increased activity on campus this Fall has been amazing with a significantly larger number of students living on campus than the last three years,” said Dr. Thomas W. Newsom, president of Southeastern. “Our residence halls are near total capacity with a 35 percent increase in the number of students living on campus, and our students, faculty and staff are enjoying the benefits of a very vibrant campus environment.”

Compared to the final Fall 2019 enrollment report, Southeastern’s enrollment has increased by over 1,000 students from 4,824 – an increase of 16.6 percent.

Fall 2023 – 5,623 students *
Fall 2022 – 5,376 students *
Fall 2021 – 5,321 students
Fall 2020 – 5,339 students *
Fall 2019 – 4,824 students *

_{* indicates school record enrollment}

“This year’s record enrollment shows the progress our university continues to make as we recruit and retain excellent students,” said Dr. Newsom. “Our faculty and staff have continued to provide an environment for students to succeed, and Southeastern has proven time after time to be an attractive institution across all disciplines and majors.”

Of the Fall 2023 enrollees, 525 are first-time freshman enrollees, which marked a 29.6 percent improvement over 405 new freshmen in Fall 2022.

Fall 2023 students at Southeastern represent 52 states and U.S. Territories and 48 countries. While Southeastern continues to educate students around the globe, the university’s impact is felt close to home, as 62.8 percent of the student body is from Oklahoma, including 33.2 percent from the 10-county service area (Bryan, Atoka, Carter, Choctaw, Johnston, Latimer, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, and Pushmataha counties), and 19.0 percent are from Texas. Native American descent was indicated by 1,470 (26.1 percent) of students.

Additionally, 10.7 percent of students indicated Legacy status, meaning either a parent or grandparent graduated from Southeastern.