KEARNEY – Enrollment is up at University of Nebraska at Kearney over last year – good news for the university and community, officials announced today.
The “census” reported on the sixth day of the semester (Aug. 29) to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents was 6,788 students – up from 6,747 last year. Of that number, first-time freshmen were 1,008 – up 70 students over last year.
“First-time freshmen are a key measure of enrollment at the undergraduate level, and an increase of 7.5 percent should bode well for UNK’s future growth,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Services and Enrollment Management Ed Scantling.
The total “head count” increase of 41 students over last year is a 0.6 percent increase.
“It’s remarkable really that we saw an increase in our overall head count enrollment given that we graduated UNK’s largest class – 1,496 students – in school history during the summer, winter and spring commencements in 2015-16,” Scantling said.
UNK also recorded an increase in the number of students enrolled in its graduate programs. Scantling reported graduate numbers are up 93 students, or 5.7 percent, over last year. Growth at the graduate level, Scantling said, is mostly among Nebraska residents – showing a 10.5 percent increase. UNK’s 1,732 graduate students – up from 1,639 – is the largest number of graduate students UNK has served since joining the university system in 1991.
“Now more than ever UNK is working to recruit quality students at every level. Our faculty and staff are working to retain students through to graduation and support them in the future; whether that be placement in graduate school or into a professional position,” Scantling said.
“It’s a holistic approach that emphasizes our ability to provide personal attention and a quality education at an affordable price.”
Other data points of note:
- Total part-time undergraduate headcount is up 18.5 percent (125 students);
- UNK this fall enrolls students from 53 countries, 49 states and every Nebraska county. (UNK has no students from Rhode Island);
- Among international students, numbers increased from Japan (5 students); Mexico (19); Nepal (5); and Oman (12) over last year. Numbers are down from China (8 fewer); South Korea (22 fewer); and Vietnam (6 fewer); and
- 630 students are Hispanic – UNK’s largest diversity population – and highest in university history.
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Source: Ed Scantling, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Services and Enrollment Management, 308.865.8669, scantlinge@unk.edu
