Fall enrollment at record high

Fall semester enrollment at East Carolina University has reached 21,797, an all-time record and up 6.2 percent from the previous mark of 20,577 set a year ago.

The number includes a freshman class of 3,548 students who have the highest-ever average SAT score — 1050. The numbers were recorded on Wednesday (Sept. 10), the 10th day of fall classes and the day earmarked for compiling official enrollment totals. The numbers, however, are preliminary until mid-October.

ECU has set an ambitious goal of increasing both the size and quality of its student body. The university plans to enroll about 28,500 students by 2012.

This fall at ECU:

— 3,100 students, or 14.2 percent, are African American, compared with 2,832, or 13.8 percent, a year ago.

— 13,181 students, or 60.2 percent, are women, compared with 12,160, or 59 percent, last year.

— 18,736 students, or 86.1 percent, are North Carolina residents or members of the U.S. armed forces, compared with 17,623, or 85.6 percent, a year ago.

— 2,470 students, or 11.3 percent, are distance-education only, compared with 1,622, or 7.9 percent, in 2002. (09.11.03)

Contact: ECU News Bureau | 252-328-6481