Cumberland University sees largest spring enrollment ever
Feb. 17—This will mark the second consecutive year of record-breaking spring enrollment at Cumberland University in Lebanon.
"This is a really important moment, I think, in the life of Cumberland University," Cumberland University Associate Provost and General Counsel Mark Hanshaw said.
The 23% increase in spring enrollment from last year equates to 2,858 students currently studying with the university.
"It's a very exciting time in the life of the institution and this is a unique moment because it is unprecedented in terms of the enrollment growth," Hanshaw said.
In fact, the university has been growing at a steady pace.
"In the fall, we recorded the largest enrollment ever in the history of Cumberland University," Hanshaw said. "Our enrollment in the fall was 3,072 students and that not only eclipsed our record, but it was our first time over 3,000 students. That is a really important milestone in the life of a university."
Despite the loss of 214 students from fall to spring, this is still the largest spring enrollment the university has ever had.
"We are still calculating fall-to-spring retention because we just started the spring semester, but we are going to have good retention," Hanshaw said. "We will probably not experience the highest retention that the university has seen fall-to-spring. That is pretty typical, because as your numbers rise, there tends to be more fluidity in the student body."
One thing that contributed to the rise in spring enrollment was the expansion of graduate programs. The Master of Science in engineering management, and Master of Science in information technology management have seen high numbers of growth.
"This spring, we have the largest number of graduate students that we've ever had in the history of the school," Hanshaw said. "Part of that is attributable to the fact that Cumberland University offers a really strong value proposition. One of the things that attract students increasingly to Cumberland University is that in a really competitive market and during a time when students are really worried about debt, we offer a value proposition that allows students to come and undertake studies in important areas and to do so at a very affordable price."
Its partnerships have also contributed to enrollment numbers.
"Cumberland University's international partnerships have been instrumental in attracting a diverse pool of talented students," Vice President for Enrollment Reggie Blair said in a press release. "The collaboration has allowed the university to expand its reach and offer unique opportunities to students worldwide. Additionally, both our expanded dual enrollment program and increase in transfer students were significant contributors to our enrollment."
