Curt Carlson
Vice Chancellor for University Relations, 308.865.8529
The momentum of the record-breaking fall enrollment increase at the University of Nebraska at Kearney has continued to the spring semester. UNK officials today announced that spring enrollment is at 6,651, a 5.2 percent increase over spring semester enrollment in 2011 and the highest level since 1997.
“The numbers reflect a great underlying story of quality, service, and plain hard work,” Chancellor Doug Kristensen said. “The University of Nebraska has a very strong arm in this part of the state, and we are striving every day to enhance our appeal and impact. Enrollment is a high and continuing campus and Universitypriority.”
Senior Vice Chancellor Charlie Bicak called special attention to several aspects of the spring enrollment returns.
“This semester, UNK gained 121 transfer students, which is 13 more than this time last year. Due to winter commencement and other factors impacting enrollment patterns, student numbers for springsemester are usually smaller than fall numbers at UNK–and at almost all universities in the nation.”
Also, part of the increase reflects growth in enrollment in eCampus (online) offerings. The biggest growth in eCampus numbers includes undergraduate students who take face-to-face classes on campus along with online classes. Currently, 21 percent of all UNK undergraduates now enroll in both types of delivery.
Additionally, while headcount enrollment is important, student credit hour production, up by 5.7 percent over last Spring, is important for driving tuition income. All four UNK academic colleges showed positive gains in credit hours generated.
Total international students increased from 422 in the Fall to 493 this Spring, a 16.8 percent jump. 136 of these are new students, where last Spring there were 100 new international students, including undergraduate and graduate students.
5-YEAR SPRING ENROLLMENT TREND AT UNK
| 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |
| 6,651 | 6,325 | 6,126 | 6,011 | 5,969 | 5,999 |
UNK’s Admissions Office noted that preliminary indications are good for fall 2012 enrollment, as well, with both freshman and transfer applications running at very high levels. Summer orientation and registration for new freshmen begins May 14th andcontinues through the end of June. Transfer Days for students who wish to transfer to UNK from another university are held one day a month in April, May, June, and July.
