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LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas drew its biggest enrollment gain in 16 years, attracted another banner crop of high-ability Kansas students, and registered a record-breaking freshman retention rate, according to official fall enrollment data released today.
"We're seeing once again that students know a first-rate education at KU is their best investment for the future," said Senior Vice Provost Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett.
KU enrollment reached 28,849, an increase of 659 students, or 2.3 percent over the previous year. Total enrollment included 19,493 Kansas residents -- more than any university or college in the state. Resident enrollment was up 478 and nonresident by 181.
"The top students in Kansas in particular understand the value of a KU education," McCluskey-Fawcett said. "Almost a third of our Kansas freshmen scored 27 or higher on the ACT. That is the best rate in the state and more than double the percentage of students nationally who take the ACT who score in that top bracket."
A recent increase in tuition had no apparent effect on enrollment.
"We were determined to keep a KU education affordable for families," said Chancellor Robert Hemenway. "We funneled $2.2 million of the recent tuition increase into need-based aid. Keeping the doors of KU open to deserving students will continue to be our priority."
The one-year retention rate for returning members of KU's 2001 freshman class was 81 percent, the best on record. KU officials attribute the increase in part to greater emphasis on advising by units such as the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center and Hawk Link, a KU recruitment and retention program for students of color recently named one of the most successful programs of its kind in the nation by Noel-Levitz, an operating division of Sallie Mae.
Other enrollment highlights:
• New undergraduate transfer student enrollment rose to 1,462, an increase of 9.3 percent, on the Lawrence campus.
• KU enrolled a first-time freshman class of 4,000-plus students for the third consecutive year.
• The total enrollment of 28,849 is KU's largest since 1993, and the fifth-largest enrollment in KU history.
• The increase of 659 students is the biggest jump since 1986, when enrollment rose 1,118.
• 30 percent of KU first-time freshmen again scored 27 or higher on the ACT or converted SAT. Nationally, only 13 percent of students who take the ACT score 27 or above. The overall ACT profile of the freshman class remained essentially stable at 24.3, the highest of any school in Kansas and well above the national average of 22.
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