Total estimated fall enrollment nears 29,000; undergraduate enrollment up 4.5 percent

Kentucky’s twenty nonprofit, independent colleges and universities that make up the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities continue to see strong growth in student enrollments. Total headcount enrollment (including undergraduate, graduate and first-professional students) for the fall semester is estimated by the Council on Postsecondary Education to be 28,610. Undergraduate enrollment across the sector grew by about 4.5 percent over last fall’s enrollment, from 23,426 students in the fall of 2006 to 24,475 this fall.

Official fall enrollment figures will be available in January. According to the CPE, estimated fall enrollments have varied from official enrollments by plus or minus 2 percent in recent years.

About three-fourths of AIKCU students are Kentucky residents. The remaining students come from all over the United States and from countries around the world.

“We’re excited that our campuses are able to meet the diverse educational needs of increasing numbers of students,” said Gary S. Cox, AIKCU President. “These numbers illustrate that now, more than ever, Kentucky’s independent colleges play a key role in educating the citizens of the Commonwealth and the world.”

The independent sector’s growing enrollment can be attributed to a number of factors, including: steady enrollment growth among traditional age students; enhanced retention efforts; and strong enrollment growth among institutions that are innovating to meet the needs of new student populations like nontraditional students, community college transfers and adults returning to college.

Kentucky’s independent sector has committed to more than double the number of bachelor’s degrees it produces annually by 2020 as part of the Council on Postsecondary Education’s plan to “Double the Numbers” of bachelor’s degree holders in Kentucky and reach the national average in educational attainment. AIKCU is thought to be the only independent college organization across the country to have made formal commitments to achieving such aggressive, quantified statewide goals.

AIKCU Total Enrollment

Fall 2007 (est.) – 28,610

Fall 2006 – 27,440

Fall 2005 – 26,908

AIKCU Campuses with the largest percentage increases in undergraduate enrollment, Fall 2006 to Fall 2007:

Related links:

Asbury College celebrates record breaking enrollment

Bellarmine welcomes record freshman class

Centre begins academic year with record breaking enrollment

Transylvania breaks record with official enrollment

University of the Cumberlands to have largest class since 1992

“Enrollment at Mid-Continent passes 1600″ - The Paducah Sun recently reported that Mid-Continent University’s enrollment has topped 1600, almost 10 times the 169 students the university had in 2000, when Dr. Bob Imhoff became president of the Mayfield university (Paducah Sun - for subscribers).