Preliminary fall enrollment numbers up

GREENVILLE, NC  —   The preliminary fall semester enrollment at ECU is another record high of 27,816, an increase of 0.5 percent, or 143 students, from last fall.

University spokesman John Durham said, “These are very positive numbers for the university, especially considering the uncertain state of the economy and the higher costs this year. We look forward to a productive, exciting year with another record-setting student body.”

The retention rate for last year’s freshman class—those who re-enrolled this year—was 81.33 percent, up from 78.8 percent last year. “We have invested a lot of time and energy in improving our retention figures across the campus, and we are pleased and encouraged by these numbers,” Durham said. “We will continue our efforts and look forward to even better retention rates as we move ahead.”

Other preliminary enrollment figures include:

•    Total new freshmen: 4,193, an increase of 246 students from 2009, or a 6.2 percent increase.
•    Total undergraduate students: 21,490, an increase of 181 students.
•    Total graduate students: 6,018, a decrease of 42 students.
•    Total new freshmen: 4,193, an increase of 246 students.

University officials plan to discuss the enrollment data at the Sept. 16 meeting of the University Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees.