At the undergraduate level, enrollment is roughly 8,800 students, about two thirds of whom are state residents. The numbers of men and women attending are relatively equal. Approximately a quarter of the undergraduates are over the age of 25. Campus housing is mainly for freshmen. Some students live in their fraternity or sorority house or in nearby off-campus residences, but a large number of students commute. Undergraduate studies are offered by the College of Arts and Sciences and by Schools of Business Administration, Education, Fine Arts, Forestry, Journalism, and Pharmacy. Roughly 15 percent of undergraduates pursue advanced studies within a year of graduation.

At the graduate level, about 2,000 students are enrolled. Graduate fields of study include business management and administrative services, computer and information sciences, education, liberal arts and sciences, fine arts, law, and natural resource sciences.

Some 110 extracurricular activities are conducted by the university, including intramural sports, publications, the campus radio station, theatrical and musical groups, forestry club, outdoor program, ethnic clubs, and religious organizations. Varsity sports teams, nicknamed the Grizzlies, compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (except the football team, which participates in Division I-AA). School colors are copper, silver, and gold