September 11, 2009

Purdue system's total enrollment is on the rise

Purdue's total enrollment, which includes the West Lafayette campus, Purdue Calumet, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Purdue North Central and the statewide technology sites, is 74,319 compared to 71,984 a year ago. More than 54,000 - or nearly 73 percent - of the students are Indiana residents.

"The growing enrollment at the regional campuses demonstrates there are multiple pathways to a Purdue education," Purdue President France A. Córdova said.

Statewide campus enrollment totals include:

* Purdue Calumet, 10,133

* Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, 13,675

* Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 4,964 enrolled in Purdue programs

* Purdue North Central, 4,463

* Statewide Technology, 1,387. College of Technology degrees are offered in Anderson/Muncie, Columbus/Greensburg, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, New Albany, Richmond, South Bend and Vincennes.

Purdue also reported that the academic quality of its freshman class at the West Lafayette campus increased for the fourth year in a row.

This year's freshman class of 6,171 students is composed of 3,808 Indiana residents, 1,673 U.S. non-residents and 690 international students. SAT scores for this freshman class increased by 11 points: eight points for math, one point for critical reading and two for writing. This year's increase comes on the heels of the 13-point increase attained by last year's incoming freshmen for a cumulative increase of 24 points over the two-year period. The average high school grade point average this year remained at 3.5.

"Our freshman class is well prepared to succeed at Purdue," said Randy Woodson, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. "I am very excited to see what these students will be able to accomplish while they are here."

Overall, almost 10,000 Indiana residents applied for freshman admission to the West Lafayette campus, and all but about 200 were offered admission within the Purdue system.

"The economy has been an issue for all colleges and universities this year, and despite these tough times, Purdue's West Lafayette campus had its second highest application volume ever," said Pamela Horne, assistant vice president for enrollment management and dean of admissions. "I think the value of a Purdue degree is clear."

The value of a Purdue degree also continues to be recognized internationally. The number of international undergraduate students at the West Lafayette campus increased from 2,360 last year to 2,818 this year.

The continued interest in Purdue from international students is a sign of Purdue's outstanding international reputation, said Michael Brzezinski, interim vice provost for global affairs and dean of international programs. In addition, the presence of students from all over the world enhances the experience for Indiana and other American students.

"This prepares Purdue graduates to compete and cooperate in a global economy," he said. "International students also become Purdue alumni, and they often return to their home countries where they share their positive experiences in America and Indiana."

Other West Lafayette enrollment highlights:

* Total undergraduates: 31,145

* Undergraduate residency: Indiana students, 20,079; U.S. non-Indiana students, 8,248; and International students, 2,818

* Ethnicity overall: African-American students, 1,360; Hispanic students, 1,107; Native American students, 183; and Asian American students, 2,010

* Total international students: 5,990

* Graduate school: 7,639

* Professional programs (Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy): 913

* Incoming transfer students: 1,253

* Women: 16,731, and men, 22,966

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Sources: Randy Woodson, 765-494-9709, woodson@purdue.edu

Pamela Horne, 765-494-9116, pamhorne@purdue.edu

Michael Brzezinski, 765-494-5770, mbrzezinski@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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