Across Mississippi's eight public universities, preliminary fall 2009 enrollment figures show an increase of nearly 2,500 students or about 3.5 percent from fall 2008 numbers.

System-wide enrollment has increased annually since 1994.

"More people are seeking baccalaureate degrees at Mississippi institutions and it is absolutely imperative that we continue that trend if we are going to move the state forward," Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Hank Bounds said. "In order to do this, we have to continue to raise the quality of our academic programs, and seek to make college more affordable and accessible."

Preliminary enrollment figures are unduplicated and count students one time if enrolled on more than one campus.

Unduplicated Headcount	Fall 2008	Fall 2009 *Preliminary figures	Percent Change
Alcorn State University	3,252	3,339	2.7%
Delta State University	4,064	4,031	-0.8%
Jackson State University	8,374	8,785	4.9%
Mississippi State University	17,824	18,601	4.4%
Mississippi University for Women	2,365	2,478	4.8%
Mississippi Valley State University	2,929	2,819	-3.8%
University of Mississippi University of Mississippi Medical Center	17,601 15,289 2,312	18,345 15,933 2,412	4.2% 4.2% 4.3%
University of Southern Mississippi	14,793	15,301	3.4%
System Total	71,202	73,699	3.5%

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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