October 6, 2008
For Immediate Release
Utah Valley University has been planning for and responding to an increased enrollment demand for fall semester for months now. Today, the Utah System of Higher Education released system-wide enrollment data indicating UVU’s enrollment is up nearly 12 percent overall, the equivalent of more than 2,800 students. With this most recent jump in student body, UVU becomes the second largest four-year institution in the state.
UVU’s total student body now numbers 26,696 (an 11.98 percent increase and student increase of 2,856). Full-time equivalent students (budget-related) now number 15,614 (an 8.65 percent increase and student increase of 1,243).
"If you look at it from a percentage perspective, it's impressive. If you look at the sheer numbers, it's really impressive,” said Dr. Elizabeth Hitch, interim president. “There are a lot of institutions nationwide, including here in Utah, whose total student enrollment is 2,800 or less. To have that kind of growth in one year is phenomenal. We extend our thanks to those entities within our institution that made serving this influx of students possible."
Two significant themes that emerge from this year’s data fall in the areas of continuing students and transfer students. In terms of retention, an increase of 981 students over the previous year returned to UVU (8 percent increase). Hitch attributes this to the continually increasing number of students pursuing a four-year degree at UVU. Additionally, the number of transfer students to UVU is up nearly 30 percent (increase of 456 students) over last year.
“We’re retaining more and more students and we’re welcoming more and more students from other institutions,” Hitch continued. “Both speak to the reputation we’re gaining as a major player in Utah higher education as a premier engaged learning institution.”
Ethnicity is another major theme headlining UVU enrollment this fall. UVU saw nearly a 33 percent increase in African-American students (increase of 54 students) and a 25 percent increase in Hispanic students (increase of 287 students) attending this fall.
For the third consecutive year, the number of new students recently graduated from high school attending UVU is up (5 percent increase in this fall), and UVU is also serving a greater percentage of students from Utah - enrollment of resident students is up 14 percent (an increase of 2,900 students).
Finally, UVU welcomed its first class of graduate enrollees. Twenty students are enrolled in the new master’s of education program.
“We recognize that many people return to college during difficult economic times,” said Dr. Michelle Taylor, associate vice president for enrollment management. “We also attribute this growth, however, to the university status initiative and students recognizing that Utah Valley University provides a dynamic, varied, and quality higher education.”
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College Marketing Contacts:
Chris Taylor
(801) 863-8484 or 472-8588
Erin Spurgeon
(801) 863-6807