UNL fall enrollment up again, this time 2.1 percent

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's fall 2010 estimated enrollment reached a 15-year high of 24,610, including an increase of 113 first-time freshmen over fall 2009. The census estimates were reported today to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

The figures show 19,383 undergraduates (an increase of 2.3 percent); 4,620 graduate students (an increase of 0.6 percent) and 510 students in professional programs (an increase of 2.1 percent).

The number of transfer students increased 2.3 percent and enrollment of first-time, fulltime freshmen increased 2.8 percent.

"With all of the indicators, including the economy, the demographics in terms of the declining number of graduating high school seniors in Nebraska and neighboring states -- everything would point to us to be declining over the past decade," said Alan Cerveny, UNL dean of admissions. "The fact we're bucking this trend indicates that the programs and the reputation of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are more than competitive nationally."

Cerveny said the transition to a new student information system has made it more difficult for the university to break out and analyze specific data, including growth in specific colleges and programs, and more information may be announced as the data is processed. He said he expects the entering fall 2010 freshman class to be the most diverse and most talented academically -- again, continuing a trend.

WRITER: Kelly Bartling, University Communications, (402) 472-2059