NU enrollment highest in 13 years

The numbers Total enrollment campus increases: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) — 24,100 (2.2 percent increase) University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) — 14,619 (2.9 percent increase) University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) — 6,650 (1.6 percent increase) UNMC — 3,237 (1.3 percent increase) Among the highlights of this year’s statistics: Increases in graduate enrollments on all campuses, including a 12.5 percent increase at UNK Increases in undergraduate enrollments at UNO (2 percent) and UNL (2.3 percent) Record-high enrollment at UNMC An increase of 49.1 percent in students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture The numbers are based on a student census taken on the 6th day after classes begin. Complete enrollment figures, including statistics on out-of-state, international and minority enrollment, will be available later in the fall.

LINCOLN — University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken announced Friday that for the fifth year in a row, overall total enrollment increased at the university as well as at its four individual campuses.

The 2009 total — 49,031 students — is the highest since 1996 and an increase of 2.6 percent more than 2008.

Every campus showed growth in total enrollment, with strongest growth seen among graduate students.

“Our goal is to increase the number of both Nebraskans and non-residents attending the University of Nebraska, and that is happening,” Milliken said. “The overall increase in enrollment is very encouraging and the growth in our graduate and professional programs is good news for Nebraska.”

Two trends related to the economy — an increase in the number of students pursuing graduate degrees and students staying closer to home — are reflected in the numbers.

Milliken noted that the increase of 1.6 percent in undergraduate enrollment exceeds the 1.5 percent annual growth goal set in the University of Nebraska Strategic Framework.

“We are working with the governor and other leaders to increase high school graduation rates and college going rates and there is opportunity for continued growth,” Milliken said. “It is essential to Nebraska’s economic future that our workforce is prepared to compete in the knowledge economy.”

Milliken said the increased availability of both public and private financial aid, including a larger Pell Grant and the expansion of the university’s CollegeBound Nebraska tuition assistance program, is putting a four-year degree within the reach for more Nebraska families.