Northeastern State reports sharp enrollment gains at Broken Arrow campus

Dr. Hanley updated the council on recent enrollment gains and campus developments at Northeastern State University. He said university-wide enrollment rose 4.8% this year, freshman numbers increased about 30%, and the Broken Arrow campus saw more than 19% growth following a change in state law that allowed first- and second-year courses to be taught locally.

"Northeastern State University is up 4.8% in overall enrollment growth," Dr. Hanley told the council and credited a recent law change and local outreach for the gains. He also highlighted an economic-impact study that estimated roughly $1,000,000,000 of annual economic input across NSU campuses and noted NSU's ranking for social mobility by a national outlet.

Dr. Hanley described new programming and facilities — including three new sports and a planned amphitheater partnership where NSU will serve as an exclusive higher-education sponsor — and said the university plans to hold Broken Arrow graduation there.

Council thanked the presenter for the update and noted the potential local economic benefits of keeping more graduates in-state and in the region.