The University of Missouri-Kansas City opened the 2017-18 academic year today with one of its largest-ever cohorts of new students.

The university’s incoming freshman class of approximately 1,200 is its largest ever, and represents an increase of about five percent over last year’s class. The university also welcomed over 1,100 new transfer students, an increase of almost two percent.

Other preliminary figures indicate a solid freshman class at UMKC with an average ACT score of 25.85, above the national average of 20.8 and the state average of 20.2.

“UMKC is dedicated to giving students exposure to the breadth and depth of all the best human knowledge collected throughout the centuries,” said Kelline Cox, Ed.D., UMKC vice provost for institutional effectiveness. “We also help students engage in a diverse and vibrant community that benefits them and others; and provide an experience that teaches them how to ask their own questions and find their own answers so they can keep learning for the rest of their lives.”

After moving in, students engaged in a variety of Welcome Week activities, ranging from social events, to community service projects, to learning about opportunities for campus and community involvement.

UMKC’s total enrollment for Fall Semester 2016 was 16,944. Official figures for Fall Semester 2017 will be available following the official census on Sept. 18.