BCoE experiences high enrollment growth
November 24, 2014
STARKVILLE, Miss. – With a record-high enrollment for fall 2014, the Bagley College of Engineering now rates at the second largest college at Mississippi State University.
This record-setting year marks more than a decade of consecutive growth for the Bagley College. This year’s 7.33 percent increase brings the college to 3,780 students in its eight departments. That increase includes 713 freshmen whose average ACT score of 27.8 is three points higher than any other college at Mississippi State.
Robert Green, BCoE undergraduate coordinator, credits the enrollment growth to the reputation the college has developed.
“It’s quality programs, quality faculty and quality students,” Green said. “People want to be part of something that’s excellent, and I think we have an excellent engineering program.”
As the Bagley College’s enrollment rises, the university’s overall enrollment has remained steady over the last few years. Green explained that smaller graduating classes in the Magnolia State have made it more difficult for universities in the state to grow. However, the college’s recruitment of talented students not only within Mississippi but also those across the country has allowed for continued growth.
“We’ve been focused on recruiting more students from out of state for several years, and I think we’re just having an easier time doing that because we have a quality program,” Green said.
Green added that more students are becoming interested in the engineering field because of the job opportunities.
“I think people are becoming more aware of the role engineers play in society, problems they solve and the good things they’re doing to make the world a better place,” Green said. “We’re seeing younger generations that really are interested in making changes and making the world better, not just in making money.”
While the engineering college leads the university in the highest average ACT score, Mississippi State as a whole has reached the highest-ever average ACT score of 24.4 for entering freshman. Green said a student’s ACT score is strongly correlated to their ability to succeed.
“To me, the biggest predictor of how you’re going to do in engineering is how hard you’re willing to work and how willing you are to do what you need to do,” Green said. “I think the students that tend to have those higher test scores have that work ethic and they’re willing to come in and do the things they need to do to be successful.“
With an increasing number of students in the college, the dean’s office is working with upper administration to develop a strategic plan to manage the growth through additional classroom space, faculty, lab space, and graduate teaching assistance to preserve the excellent quality of the undergraduate program.
For more information, visit www.bagley.msstate.edu.
By: Jen Nguyen