For the third consecutive year, fall enrollment at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College continues to climb, reflecting a commitment to expanding access and opportunities for a broad range of learners.

Bemidji State Highlights

Data on the 30th day of fall classes (October 6), the official fall census date used by all Minnesota State colleges and universities this year, shows a total of 4,113 students enrolled at Bemidji State, an increase of 37 students over last year.

Growth at Bemidji State is especially visible at the graduate level, where strong gains have outpaced other universities in the Minnesota State system. This fall, 361 students are pursuing master’s degrees at BSU, the most at the university since 2021.

Full-year equivalent (FYE) graduate enrollment, which aggregates the total credits students take during the academic year, has increased by 14.4% over last year, the largest rise among the system’s seven state universities.

With more students enrolling, BSU is also becoming more reflective of the communities it serves, expanding opportunities for social mobility to an increasingly diverse student body. BSU leaders see this growth as part of a broader strategic effort.

“Our data tells a story of growth and transformation,” said Ben Hoffman, BSU vice president of enrollment management. “We are pivoting to meet students where they are — creating access for learners of every age and background.”

The emphasis on supporting students at every stage of their journey is evident among BSU’s transfer students, with notable growth driven by an increasingly older population of learners who bring credits with them from other institutions.

This year, more than 1,100 students — 33.9% of the university’s undergraduate student body and the highest percentage on record — are adults, age 25 and above. BSU’s fall enrollment also reflects the university’s continuing trend toward online education, with more than 59% of BSU undergraduates taking classes either entirely or mostly online.

“We are pleased to see the growth in our transfer students, online adult students and graduate students in addition to our traditional students who enroll directly from high school,” BSU and NTC President John L. Hoffman said. “Our increasingly diverse student body demonstrates that the programs and experiences we offer are accessible to everyone — whether updating skills, pursuing a first degree or advancing in their careers.”

Bemidji State remains a destination university for Minnesota’s American Indian communities, with 344 students enrolled this year — nearly 8.5% of BSU’s student body. In addition, the university is also continuing to see significant increases in both Black and Hispanic student enrollment.

BSU’s undergraduates also include a large percentage of students who are eligible for federal Pell Grants and who are the first members of their extended families to attend college. More than 41% of BSU’s students this year are eligible for federal Pell Grants, awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. More than 47% of BSU’s fall undergraduates are the first in their families to attend college.

Northwest Technical College Highlights

Enrollment momentum at BSU is mirrored at Northwest Technical College, with a 3.6% increase marking the institution’s highest fall enrollment since 2018. Enrollment increases have also driven fall FYE numbers to the highest in over a decade.

Nearly 74% of NTC’s 1,018 students identify as female, 64% are enrolled in classes part-time, 62% are the first in their immediate families to attend college and more than half (54%) are adult learners. In addition, nearly half are eligible for financial aid in the form of federal Pell grants.

This fall, 130 American Indian students chose to pursue their education at NTC, the second-highest total on record, and reached a new enrollment milestone with 146 Black students — the highest in the college’s history.

NTC continues to invest in providing experiences that appeal to students seeking an in-person, hands-on technical education. NTC has its highest number of mostly on-campus students since 2019. It marks just the fourth fall term in the last 11 years that NTC has enrolled more than 300 mostly on-campus students.

NTC is also seeing a significant increase in the number of high school students earning college credit through its courses. High school students take NTC courses through Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) and College in the High School programs, giving them an opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. PSEO courses are taught on the NTC campus by NTC instructors.

Bemidji State and Northwest Technical College consider these enrollment gains to be markers of their continued momentum in strengthening their legacy and creating pathways for opportunity in Northern Minnesota.