The largest-ever freshman class at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville fueled overall enrollment growth, with the state's largest university Thursday announcing total enrollment of 26,754 students as of Tuesday.
The preliminary total is an increase of about 2 percent from a year ago, when UA-Fayetteville's enrollment stood at 26,237 students, according to the university's 2014 11th day enrollment report.
But the university reported a slight dip in its number of Arkansas students, even as it continued a string of yearly enrollment increases that have placed it among the fastest-growing public research institutions nationally.
The university's enrollment increase was mirrored by other public universities across the state, including Arkansas State University, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas.
Enrollment at UA-Fayetteville has increased by 39 percent since fall 2008, when the university counted 19,194 students. Since 2008, the university has seen a dip in Arkansas students in one other year: fall 2013.
The rise in enrollment -- a bit slower compared with a 3.8 percent increase reported last year at this time -- was described as "a rate of growth that university administrators believe is sustainable," in a statement released by UA-Fayetteville.
Growth largely has been based on an influx of out-of-state students. This year's freshman class of 4,916 students continues the trend, with 51 percent arriving from outside Arkansas. The size of the freshman class increased by about 7.5 percent compared with last year's 4,571.
UA spokesman Laura Jacobs said the university counted 15,237 students from the state. This is a decrease from the 15,329 Arkansans counted in the university's 11th day enrollment report from fall 2014.
Last year, UA-Fayetteville ranked seventh among the fastest-growing public research institutions offering doctoral degrees, according to an analysis of 2002 through 2012 conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Enrollment grew by about 53 percent during that time period.
In a statement, the university referred to the current rate of growth as "sustainable." Interim Chancellor Dan Ferritor in a written statement described the university as "following a long-term plan put in place to increase the size, quality and academic reputation of the university."
UA-Fayetteville's graduate programs have seen growth as well, with a total of 4,596 students, an increase of 195 students over last year, according to the university.
Most other large schools in Arkansas also reported increases in total enrollment, although some lump students from different campuses into a single enrollment total.
Arkansas State University in Jonesboro reported an enrollment of 13,410 students -- an increase of 2 percent over the 2014 fall semester's 13,144 enrollment.
ASU System President Charles Welch in a statement noted the diversity of programs offered at ASU System campuses, "whether a student is seeking an advanced, research-based education or immediate specialized job training."
Preliminary enrollment figures indicate Arkansas Tech University, based in Russellville, will be the third-largest institution of higher learning in Arkansas for a second consecutive year. It reported an overall fall enrollment of 12,007 students.
"The continuous growth that Arkansas Tech has enjoyed for almost two decades is a mark of distinction and point of pride for our institution," Robin Bowen, Arkansas Tech's president, said in a statement.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock recorded 11,848 students on its 11th day enrollment count. The number reflects a 1.2 percent increase in enrollment over last year and a 19 percent increase in first-time college students. The fall enrollment figure includes 1,493 concurrent students who are enrolled in college classes while still in high schools, said UALR director of communications Judy Williams.
The University of Central Arkansas in Conway reported 11,754 students, a small increase compared with last year's enrollment of 11,698.
Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia reported 4,138 students, an increase of about 16.7 percent compared with last year.
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith tallied 6,707 students, down from 6,823 students last year.
Information for this article was provided by Debra Hale-Shelton and Kenneth Heard of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Metro on 09/11/2015