COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - The University of Missouri's flagship campus in Columbia says it's receiving more applications from prospective out-of-state students than from Missouri residents.
The Columbia Missourian (http://bit.ly/ynZcSJ ) reports that the school recently opened recruiting offices in Denver and Minneapolis to boost enrollment from outside the state. The school hired regional representatives in Dallas and Chicago in 2003 and a second Chicago recruiter in 2007.
University officials credit heavy interest from neighboring Illinois for the enrollment shift, which is a first in school history. Tuition rates for out-of-state residents are more than double the rates paid by Missourians.
The university also is considering adding recruiters in Atlanta and other Southern hubs as Missouri prepares to join the Southeastern Conference later this year.