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Postsecondary Enrollment Increases Slightly for 2006

Archive

12/11/2006


 

Contact: Sandy Connolly, Director of Communications
Office of Higher Education
(651) 259-3902

Modest Enrollment Gains Posted at Minnesota's Postsecondary Institutions

Fall enrollment at Minnesota's colleges, universities and careers schools increased 1.8 percent over 2005, according to preliminary fall headcount figures released today by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Enrollment at public and private institutions statewide increased by 5,833 students, from 320,411 in fall 2005 to 326,244 in 2006, with growth in both public and private institutions.

"As the number of Minnesota high school graduates statewide begins to level off, it's not surprising to see postsecondary enrollment begin to level off," said Susan Heegaard, director for the Office of Higher Education. "Our challenge in Minnesota will be to continue to increase college participation among traditional and non-traditional age students."

Preliminary Headcount Enrollment Changes 2005 to 2006
Institutions 2005 2006 Percent change
University of Minnesota 65,489 65,753 0.4%
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities:
State Universities
Community & technical colleges

62,812
107,942

62,435
110,581

-0.6%
2.4%
Private colleges & universities 63,476 64,913 2.3%
Private career schools 20,692 22,562 9.0%
Total 320,411 326,244 1.8%

Undergraduate and graduate preliminary fall headcount enrollment.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education.


Enrollment at residential four-year colleges and universities tends to remain steady, as admissions offices manage the size of the freshmen class each year. The largest enrollment gains occurred at private career schools. The only category of institutions posting an overall decline was the state universities, with an enrollment drop of less than one percent.

The overall numbers do not include primarily online higher education providers.

The fall figures provide a general picture of enrollment trends. Headcount enrollment is just one measure of enrollment based on the student headcount reported on the tenth day of fall term. The data do not take into account full- or part-time status of students. Most institutions use more than one method to measure enrollment.

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a cabinet-level state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education and serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance and trends.

The 2006 Preliminary Enrollment Census is available.

This document can be made available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities upon request.


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