Record-Breaking Enrollment At Penn State

October 12, 2001
University Park, Pa. - Penn State’s reputation for providing a top quality education resulted in another record-breaking enrollment year, but the numbers reflect the University's continuing efforts to keep growth modest and controlled.

According to official figures released today, enrollment at Penn State’s 24 locations is 81,704 students - an increase of 434 students over last year. University Park enrollment increased by 257 students to a level of 40,828.

“Penn State’s fall enrollment figures show that the University has once again met the major objectives of its well-defined, slow-growth enrollment management plan,” said Penn State President Graham Spanier. “Five years ago, we projected modest enrollment increases for each of the next several years, and I'm pleased to say that we’ve been able to stay within our target range.”

In 1996, Penn State restructured its statewide system to provide increased opportunities to upper-division students so that they could complete their degrees at a campus other than University Park.

“Our plan is to stabilize enrollments at the University Park campus and to allow for modest growth in the number of juniors and seniors at other campus locations,” said John Romano, vice provost and dean for enrollment management.

Penn State now offers a limited number of baccalaureate degree programs at its campuses around the Commonwealth -- programs that were developed in response to local needs and with the encouragement of community leaders. The largest such program is the Information Sciences and Technology baccalaureate degree, which has become a popular program at most Penn State campuses.

For Fall 2001, minority students comprise 11 percent of the total student body - a steady increase since 1990, when minority student enrollment was 6.7 percent of the total enrollment.

“Penn State continues to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of our entering students,” said Spanier. “We need to make this a priority because all of our students benefit from learning and living in a diverse environment.”

African American enrollment at Penn State rose by 115 students and now stands at 3,574.

Earlier this month the Wall Street Journal published an article naming Penn State one of “this fall’s hot picks” around the country along with 15 other universities and colleges.

**aen**

Contact:

Bill Mahon      (814) 865-7517 or e-mail np3@psu.edu

Tysen Kendig (814) 865-7517 or e-mail ptk102@psu.edu

Amy Neil          (814) 865-7517 or e-mail aen4@psu.edu