More women, first-generation scholars and students of color will pursue their academic and career goals at CU Boulder this fall, according to preliminary 2019 fall enrollment data shared with the CU Board of Regents this week.
Affordability measures include: the elimination of all undergraduate course and program fees; a four-year lock on tuition for entering undergraduate students; automatic scholarships for academically qualified Colorado resident students; scholarships for academically qualified transfer students; and scholarships and grants for low-income students.
This year鈥檚 incoming class of first-year students is one of the most diverse in university history, with more than 28% identifying as students of color and 16% as first-generation scholars. Total enrollment for students of color鈥攖hose who identify as African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American and Native Pacific Islander鈥攊s more than 7,800, up 7% from fall 2018.听In addition, the campus is welcoming more first-year female students鈥�49%鈥攖han at any other time in its history.
Final census numbers will be released in late September, but preliminary data indicate that total fall enrollment is up 3.3% with strong enrollment growth in graduate programs, up 2.8% from last year.听Contributing factors to these positive trends include the university鈥檚 ongoing affordability initiatives, strong academic programs and undergraduate and graduate research opportunities that continue to draw talented students from all walks of life.
鈥淭hese are all encouraging signs that Colorado families recognize the value of higher education and the value of a CU Boulder degree,鈥� said Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano. 鈥淐U Boulder is among the nation鈥檚 top public research universities and is the state鈥檚 flagship academic institution, and we are grateful that students and their families continue to embrace the educational and career opportunities we offer.鈥�
Kelly Fox, executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer, said, 鈥淥ur four-year tuition guarantee for entering first-year students remains a powerful pull for Colorado and other families who are seeking a high return on their investment in their children鈥檚 education.鈥�
As is the case with most American colleges, international enrollment continues to decline. This fall, total international student enrollment is down more than 6% from last year.
