Strong retention influences spring enrollment

A high retention rate of freshmen has contributed to Northwestern College’s spring enrollment of 1,153.

Ninety-five percent of Northwestern’s freshmen returned for the spring semester, up several percentage points from previous years and the highest rate on record. In addition, the retention rate for the entire student body was high; 93 percent of all students, except those who graduated in December, returned.

“These strong retention rates tell us that students are having their expectations met at Northwestern,” says Kenton Pauls, dean of enrollment management. “The rates are among many indicators that point to our students having great experiences in and out of the classroom.”

This semester’s enrollment includes 71 students who are enrolled only in Northwestern’s online programs, a new record.

Northwestern’s spring enrollment data indicates that 10 percent of students are American ethnic minorities and another three percent hail from another country. More than 56 percent of Northwestern’s students are from Iowa, with 31 states represented. Twenty-two percent of the college’s students are members of the Reformed Church in America, but more than 20 denominations are represented.