Census information confirming a robust fall 2002 enrollment at the University of Colorado at Boulder offers positive news for campus efforts to improve retention and the numbers of graduate, international and transfer students.Ìý
Nevertheless, CU-Boulder officials hope to limit future overall growth through a proposal called "Quality for Colorado," now under consideration by the state, which would reduce the campus's budgetary dependence on enrollment growth.
Higher freshman numbers account for one part of this fall's total enrollment of 27,954 degree-seeking students, but the census also reflects more continuing students, new graduate students, international students and transfer students - groups long targeted for growth on the Boulder campus.
"We are delighted that our efforts to increase retention are showing good results," said Chancellor Richard L. Byyny. "By focusing on a quality educational experience and improved student preparation among admitted students, we set the stage for successful completion of their college careers here at CU-Boulder."
Overall enrollment this fall is 5 percent higher than last fall's 26,597 students. Freshmen increased by 8 percent, returning undergraduates are up by 5 percent, new graduate students increased by 6 percent and transfers are up by 4 percent. The number of international students increased by 6.8 percent to 1,165, despite the effects of the economy and last year's attack on the U.S.
Byyny said, "Our record freshman applications this year, totaling more than 19,000, show that CU-Boulder has become a major national draw for prospective students. And the increased numbers of returning students point toward satisfaction with the quality of education we offer."
This fall's overall enrollment spike also reflects a ripple effect from previous large classes of new students, who now are moving through the pipeline toward graduation. The previous high freshman class was in fall 2000, when 5,095 freshmen enrolled. Official census data show 5,391 new freshmen in fall 2002.
In addition to higher overall numbers generated by the pipeline phenomenon, the data indicate higher continuation rates for undergraduates. "In other words, among those already enrolled, more students are choosing to continue toward a degree," said Byyny.
The Boulder campus continues to seek statewide support for its Quality for Colorado plan, Byyny said, which would limit enrollment growth while enhancing academic quality. The plan also would reduce budgetary reliance on enrollment growth for revenue enhancement.Ìý
"Pending approval of this proposal, in the short term any marginal revenues from increased enrollment will be used for educating those additional students, dealing with state budget cuts and continuing to make necessary investments to improve institutional quality," Byyny said.
Ric Porreca, senior vice chancellor and chief financial officer, noted that enrollment growth has both negative and positive impacts on the community and state.Ìý "We know that growth puts strains on housing, transportation, class availability and student services - but we have responded effectively to this year's unusual growth. The university has invested in additional course sections and student services to ensure a high-quality educational experience for our students," Porreca said.
"The presence of the university, with its stable workforce and productive research efforts, historically has helped buffer fluctuations in the local economy," Porreca said. "During the current economic difficulties, this infusion of students will help boost the community's fiscal outlook." In 1999, the last year for which numbers are available, CU-Boulder students added more than $240 million to the Colorado and Boulder economies.
Ron Stump, vice chancellor for student affairs, said this year's freshmen have been accommodated in on-campus housing. Next year, the Williams Village housing complex is adding 495 beds and another 499 in 2004, for a total of 994 new campus beds. Boulder also continues to show a high vacancy rate for apartments off campus.Ìý
Stump noted that academic preparation by incoming freshmen matches last year's record-high credentials, with an average high school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50, SAT total of 1160 and ACT composite score of 25. Freshmen who had a 4.0 GPA or higher in high school totaled 625, or 12 percent of all incoming freshmen.
This fall's hike in graduate student numbers also is good news for the administration and faculty, who have long sought to build up graduate education at the Boulder campus. Graduate students total 4,500, or 16 percent of the overall student body. Campus officials would like to increase that number to about 5,000, more in line with CU-Boulder's peer research universities.
Census data also show an increase in the number of transfer students. "We are especially pleased to see this outcome of our efforts to smooth the way for transfer students, many of whom come from Colorado community colleges and other CU campuses," Byyny said.
Coloradans account for 66 percent of the overall fall enrollment with 18,525 in-state students. Non-residents, totaling 9,429 students, make up 34 percent of the student body. The mix of out-of-state and in-state students has remained unchanged since about 1975.
This fall, minority enrollment increased overall by 4.9 percent, from 3,441 in fall 2001 to 3,609 in fall 2002. Minority students represent about 13 percent of all degree-seeking students at CU-Boulder. Females make up about 47 percent of CU-Boulder's students.
For additional information, see these Web sites:
- Fall 2002 compared to fall 2001:
- Enrollment over time, overall:
- By residency and level:
- By college:
- Most popular undergraduate majors: