FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fulton, Mo. – Sept. 16, 2026: Westminster College leadership announced today that freshman enrollment is up 15% since last year, making the Class of 2030 the largest incoming class in more than a decade. The total number of new students on campus, including first-year students, international students and transfer students, is also up 13%.
Likewise, the overall student population is 679: the highest enrollment the small liberal arts college has witnessed since 2018. This is the result of several positive factors, including strong retention.
Since 2012, news outlets have broadcast grim headlines about “the enrollment cliff” — a population decline rooted in falling birth rates during the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009.
Derek Zander, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services, reflected that Westminster’s numbers show reason for optimism. He indicated students are carefully considering what matters most to them while placing a high value on the College’s ability to prepare students for life after graduation.
“Westminster’s growth reflects the fact that students want to be known, supported and prepared for their future,” Zander explained. “Our emphasis on academic excellence, leadership development, career readiness and meaningful community resonates strongly with today’s students and families.”
Academically, Westminster offers a strong student-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention in everything from one-on-one help with assignments to involvement in graduate-level research projects.
Popular programs at the College such as pre-medicine, pre-law, exercise science, education, psychology and business continue to attract a variety of students. Those pursuing the College’s more than 30 majors, 30 minors and 23 certificate programs receive support from the Employer Connections Office in the Student Success Center, while 100% of students receive financial aid, making a private education affordable for many.
Meanwhile, students are attracted to the College’s emphasis on leadership skills, character-building and service to others that is woven into the Westminster experience. Ample social opportunities, including fraternity and sorority life as well as 20 varsity athletic programs, also hold appeal for those who want involvement in numerous organizations while earning a degree.
“Students and families are making thoughtful decisions about higher education, and they want a place where they will be more than just a number,” Zander reflects. “Westminster offers a personalized experience built on meaningful relationships, academic excellence, leadership opportunities and comprehensive student support. This dedicated class of incoming students represents just that.”
ABOUT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE: Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College is ranked prestigiously by The Princeton Review as one of 151 “Best Colleges in the Midwest” for 2026 and is among a select group of full-participation institutions nationwide in the Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition, as recognized by the Higher Learning Commission. New graduates experience a more than 90% placement rate within six months of graduation, while Westminster alumni are in the top 16% nationwide for graduate earnings. The only National Liberal Arts college in Missouri, Westminster has long been recognized for its focus on educating and inspiring students to make an impact on the world around them. Find out more about Westminster College by visiting our website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Sarah Backer at 573-220-9038 or Sarah.Backer@WCMO.edu.
Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.
