USU Fall Enrollment Largest in History
Utah State University’s fall headcount enrollment of 24,421 students, the largest in the university’s 119-year history, marks an increase of 3.4 percent from fall 2006. New freshmen, non-resident and regional campus enrollments are all up.
“We are very pleased with our numbers,” said Raymond T. Coward, USU executive vice president and provost. “Our enrollments represent tangible evidence that more students recognize the importance and value of a USU education.”
Coward said USU’s enrollment success this fall indicates that a wide range of students are taking advantage of the educational opportunities offered at Utah State in different locations and through different means of delivery at both beginning- and advanced-degree levels.
“All of these are positive trends for the future,” he said. “Last fall we saw the end of a three-year slide in student attendance. What these new numbers indicate is that we have passed a very important milestone: we have stabilized our enrollment and are beginning to see an upward trend.”
Here is a breakdown of USU headcount numbers:
- USU’s combined main and regional campus headcount enrollment grew from 23,623 students in 2006 to a new record high of 24,421 -- up 3.4 percent.
- USU main campus enrollment is 14,893, up 3.1 percent from last fall.
- USU regional campus enrollment is 10,736, for an increase of 6.2 percent. This reflects strongly on USU’s statewide reach with 42 percent of its students now attending USU’s regional campuses.
- The number of first-time freshmen on the main USU campus is up by 203 students, or a 7.7 percent increase. When viewed over the past two years, this upward trend becomes even more notable.
- The number of first-time freshmen enrolled in 2005 was 2,054. When compared against the fall 2007 number of 2,842, USU first-time freshmen enrollment has jumped 38.4 percent.
- USU main campus domestic minority enrollment reached 700 students for a 6.5 percent increase over last fall. Students in this category include American Indians, Asians, Blacks and Hispanics.
- USU main campus domestic minority enrollment among first-time freshmen is at 153 students, representing a 25.4 percent increase.
- USU males on the main campus increased 1.5 percent from 7,663 to 7,775.
- USU females on the main campus increased 5 percent from 6,781 to 7,118.
Full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollments by budget and line item, as reported today by the Utah System of Higher Education, also reflect USU’s stabilized enrollment numbers. Budget-related headcount includes individual students enrolled in a course at an institution, whereas FTE approximates the number of students enrolled full-time (15 semester hours for undergraduate students and 10 semester hours for graduate students) per semester.
Some FTE enrollment equivalents of note at USU:
- Overall FTE equivalents are up 3 percent from 16,634 to 17,128.
- Regional campus FTE’s are up 8.5 percent from 4,129 to 4,479.
- Number of in-state equivalents is 14,870, up 1.8 percent.
- Non-resident equivalents rose from 2,033 to 2,258 for an 11.1 percent increase.
Coward said he expects enrollments at the Logan campus to remain stable over the near future but that enrollments at the regional campuses will continue to grow significantly as they did this year.
“Indeed, new partnerships with Snow College and the College of Eastern Utah funded by the legislature this year will increase further the number of students throughout the state who are enrolled in USU degree programs,” he said. “Students will be able to stay closer to home and, consequently, enrollment numbers in these outlying areas will increase.”
On Friday, the university announced a $15 million gift to USU’s Uintah Basin campus by Marc and Debbie Bingham. The funds will be used to construct an Entrepreneurship and Energy Research Center. It will be located on USU’s new 138-acre campus in Vernal.
Contact: Raymond T. Coward, 435-797-1167
Writer: John DeVilbiss, 435-797-1358
Enrollment at Utah State University is at an all-time high as the 2007 academic year began.
Domestic minority enrollment is up 25.4%. First-time freshmen enrollment up 38.4% over past two years. Regional campus enrollment up 6.2% at 10,736 students. Overall enrollment up 3.4% for record high of 24,421 students.
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