09/04/2009

University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken today announced that for the fifth year in a row, total enrollment increased at the University of Nebraska overall and at each of the four campuses. The 2009 total – 49,031 students – is the highest since 1996 and an increase of 2.6 percent over 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," Milliken said, "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.

Among the highlights of this year's statistics:

• Increases in graduate enrollments on all campuses, including a 12.5% increase at UNK
• Increases in undergraduate enrollments at UNO (2.0%) and UNL (2.3%)
• Record-high enrollment at UNMC
• An increase of 49.1% in students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture

University-wide enrollment totals:

First-time freshmen: 6,785 students (3.9 percent decrease)
Undergraduate students: 36,351 (1.6 percent increase)
Graduate students: 9,983 (4.8 percent increase)
Professional students: 2,272 (1.6 percent increase)
Total enrollment (including Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture): 49,031 students (2.6 percent increase)
Total enrollment (excluding Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture): 48,606 (2.3 percent increase)

Total enrollment campus increases:

University of Nebraska-Lincoln: 24,100 (2.2 percent increase)
University of Nebraska at Omaha: 14,619 (2.9 percent increase)
University of Nebraska at Kearney: 6,650 (1.6 percent increase)
University of Nebraska Medical Center: 3,237 (1.3 percent increase)

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.

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
SUMMARY - HEADCOUNT ENROLLMENT REPORT
FALL SEMESTER 2009
						Administrative Site
						Fall 2009	Fall 2008	Difference	% Change
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA - LINCOLN
	First-Time Freshmen					3,986	4,200	(214)	-5.1%
	Undergraduate					18,955	18,526	429	2.3%
	Graduate					4,591	4,500	91	2.0%
	Professional					554	547	7	1.3%
UNL TOTAL						24,100	23,573	527	2.2%
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
	Undergraduate					811	806	5	0.6%
	Graduate					708	698	10	1.4%
	Professional					1,718	1,690	28	1.7%
UNMC TOTAL						3,237	3,194	43	1.3%
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA
	First-Time Freshmen					1,816	1,818	(2)	-0.1%
	Undergraduate Subtotal					11,554	11,327	227	2.0%
	Graduate					3,065	2,886	179	6.2%
UNO TOTAL						14,619	14,213	406	2.9%
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY
	First-Time Freshmen					983	1,045	(62)	-5.9%
	Undergraduate					5,031	5,104	(73)	-1.4%
	Graduate					1,619	1,439	180	12.5%
UNK TOTAL						6,650	6,543	107	1.6%
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA UNDERGRADUATE						36,351	35,763	588	1.6%
FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN TOTAL						6,785	7,063	(278)	-3.9%
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA GRADUATE						9,983	9,523	460	4.8%
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PROFESSIONAL						2,272	2,237	35	1.6%
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA TOTAL						48,606	47,523	1,083	2.3%
Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA)						425	285	140	49.1%
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA TOTAL (with NCTA)						49,031	47,808	1,223	2.6%
Source: UNL, UNO, UNK Office of Institutional Research; UNMC Office of Academic Records