Spring Break
Universities see increase in applications, enrollment
Jessica Cline
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: News
In spite of the sickened economy, application and enrollment numbers for colleges across the U.S. are increasing.
For CSU's 2009-2010 school year, application numbers have increased by almost 10 percent for in-state students and 4 percent for out-of-state students from last year's numbers.
In the 2008-2009 school year, there were a total of 14,017 applicants for admittance into CSU. To date, CSU has received 15,028 freshman applications and 2,150 transfer student applicants, but these numbers are not final because applications are being accepted through July 1.
"Our application numbers are up by about 1,000 applications for freshmen," said Larry Belasco, a CSU statistical analyst for Admissions. "We think that it is because of the economy being the way it is: People are deciding to stay in state to keep costs down."
Out of the 2,150 transfer students, based on credits transferred, about 50 percent are freshmen, 25 percent are sophomores, 15 percent are juniors and 10 percent are seniors.
Belasco said CSU is still accepting all qualified students and will continue to do so until the deadline. Overall he said the budget cuts and the weak economy have not deterred increases in admissions or enrollment.
Resident tuition is $5,870 per year, not including living expenses or books. According to various university Web sites, attending an out-of-state college is often double or triple this amount before considering scholarships or financial aid.
Additionally, enrollment numbers are up not only in Colorado, but nationwide. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college enrollment in two and four-year colleges and universities throughout the nation is up 17 percent since the year 2000.
"(Enrollment) is a year-by-year thing -- it depends on the economy and how attractive the school is to the seniors graduating from high school," Belasco said.
"We hope application numbers keep increasing, and we are doing everything we can to keep them increasing, but we will just have to wait and see what happens."
For CSU's 2009-2010 school year, application numbers have increased by almost 10 percent for in-state students and 4 percent for out-of-state students from last year's numbers.
In the 2008-2009 school year, there were a total of 14,017 applicants for admittance into CSU. To date, CSU has received 15,028 freshman applications and 2,150 transfer student applicants, but these numbers are not final because applications are being accepted through July 1.
"Our application numbers are up by about 1,000 applications for freshmen," said Larry Belasco, a CSU statistical analyst for Admissions. "We think that it is because of the economy being the way it is: People are deciding to stay in state to keep costs down."
Out of the 2,150 transfer students, based on credits transferred, about 50 percent are freshmen, 25 percent are sophomores, 15 percent are juniors and 10 percent are seniors.
Belasco said CSU is still accepting all qualified students and will continue to do so until the deadline. Overall he said the budget cuts and the weak economy have not deterred increases in admissions or enrollment.
Resident tuition is $5,870 per year, not including living expenses or books. According to various university Web sites, attending an out-of-state college is often double or triple this amount before considering scholarships or financial aid.
Additionally, enrollment numbers are up not only in Colorado, but nationwide. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college enrollment in two and four-year colleges and universities throughout the nation is up 17 percent since the year 2000.
"(Enrollment) is a year-by-year thing -- it depends on the economy and how attractive the school is to the seniors graduating from high school," Belasco said.
"We hope application numbers keep increasing, and we are doing everything we can to keep them increasing, but we will just have to wait and see what happens."
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