Enrollment, Credit Hours Increase

Fall enrollment has increased 3.6 percent and credit-hour production is up 3.1 percent from a year ago, according to 10th-day figures released by Institutional Research. Northern’s preliminary headcount is 9,379, compared with 9,055 in 2004.

"Based on the 10th-day comparisons with last year, I do anticipate that we will at least reach the Enrollment Management Network (EMN) target figure of 9,607 for Fall 2005, said Paul Duby (Institutional Research). "This figure will surpass our previous high enrollment figure of 9,376 set in Fall 1980. ... The graduate numbers are very strong this year, thanks to an energetic dean and an effort to market the programs more effectively. It’s making a difference. The graduate student enrollment has increased 13.3 percent and we’re expecting more than 800 graduate students by the end of the semester.”

The freshman class is larger than projected, but below the targeted goal set by the EMN. The academic credentials of baccalaureate first-time, full-time freshmen continue to increase incrementally.

“The sophomore class is up more than 6 percent,” Duby added. “I believe that’s due to increased retention from last year’s record-high freshman cohort. We typically retain 73 percent. I’m hoping that has gone up to the 75 percent range, but the retention figures haven’t come back yet.”

Duby said Northern is holding its own in attracting Michigan students, despite intense competition. The numbers from the regional recruiting markets of Illinois and Wisconsin have decreased this fall after several years of steady growth, but there has been an increase in students hailing from other U.S. states.

"Northern also has a slightly more diverse student population this year, thanks mainly to a noticeable increase in Native American students.”

Duby said Northern's student population is 54 percent female.