A-State Announces Largest Spring Enrollment in University History

JONESBORO – Spring enrollment at Arkansas State University continues to soar, with a reported 11th-day headcount of a record 16,073 students — a 10% increase over spring 2024.

Chancellor Todd Shields confirmed the largest spring enrollment in A-State history and a second consecutive double-digit spring semester growth for the university.

"This record-breaking spring enrollment reflects the positive momentum Arkansas State continues to build. Our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education is stronger than ever, and we are proud to see more students choosing A-State to pursue their academic and career goals,” Shields said. “As we grow, we remain dedicated to meeting the needs of Arkansas and the broader region, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared to contribute to their communities and industries."

Enrollment of students from Arkansas saw a boost of 8.1%, with 9,452 from in-state, compared with 8,745 last spring.

The university continues to expand its educational reach from coast to coast as online programs thrive. A-State Online grew 16.2% from spring 2024 and boasts the largest online enrollment in the state.

The Red Wolves pack is also growing through its Campus Queretaro campus in Mexico, which added 121 students for a 16% increase and a total enrollment of 903.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin White Jr. expressed appreciation to the faculty and staff for their contributions to A-State’s continued enrollment growth.

"The collaboration between our Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Life, and other key departments has been instrumental in supporting this growth. By working together across campus, we’ve strengthened student engagement, streamlined processes, and enhanced the overall A-State experience.” White continued, “This collective effort is making a tangible impact, and it’s exciting to see so many students choosing to be part of the Red Wolves family."

In Jonesboro, the university experienced significant growth in academic areas that align with local and statewide workforce needs.

The College of Nursing and Health Professions saw an overall enrollment increase of 27%, led by jumps in social work, nursing, and medical imaging and radiation science. The Neil Griffin College of Business — fueled by growth in accounting, information systems, business analytics, management, marketing and supply chain — reported a 12% rise. The College of Agriculture grew its student body by 17%, with a 20% increase in students studying animal science.

Many of those students may be preparing to enroll in A-State’s highly anticipated College of Veterinary Medicine, which will welcome its first class to campus in fall 2026, pending successful accreditation. The university will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the 56,000-square-foot facility later this spring.

A-State also continues to see an all-time high demand for on-campus housing. The number of campus residents rose 8% compared with spring 2024. A 93% retention rate from fall 2024 shows that living on campus, steps away from classes and resources, leads to better student outcomes.

A-State continues to focus on additional ways to improve student retention and overall well-being. In fall 2024, it launched a new AI-powered SMS chatbot. Students can connect with the chatbot about topics such as academics, financial aid, and student services. Since then, 97% of the student body remains opted in, and the chatbot has exchanged more than 18,600 text messages with students.

The program has proved vital as 1,735 students have connected with on-campus tools, saving over 150 hours of staff resources. Meanwhile, 534 students were proactively identified for in-person follow-up visits from A-State’s academic and mental health support team.

"At A-State, we continuously seek innovative ways to support our students and help them thrive. Tools like our AI-powered chatbot allow us to meet students where they are, providing real-time assistance for academic and personal needs,” said Dr. Nikesha Nesbitt, dean of University College. “Every Red Wolf Counts, and by leveraging technology alongside our dedicated support teams, we ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed on their college journey."

As A-State grows, more student-centered additions are under development. These initiatives include an overhauled university website, enhanced prospective student dashboards, and a new campus community web portal. Each project is designed to help students find essential campus tools and information and connect with others in the campus community.