For Immediate Release

September 20, 2004

PRELIMINARY HEADCOUNT ENROLLMENT FOR ARKANSAS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

FALL SEMESTER 2004, ON-SCHEDULE, FOR-CREDIT STUDENTS

Headline: ADHE announces large enrollment increase for fall 2004 semester

Dr. Linda Beene, Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, announced today that college and university enrollment has achieved historic highs. Dr. Beene stated “We believe this may be a continuing indication that Arkansans are placing more value on higher education. Arkansas has lagged behind most states in the percentage of adults with baccalaureate or higher degrees. We are hopeful that the increases in enrollment and graduation rates over the past few years will move Arkansas higher on the educational attainment list and help improve the Arkansas economy accordingly.” Beene also stated that these enrollment numbers are just one measure of the participation in higher education, “In coming weeks the Department will release enrollment statistics that are a better indication of the number of Arkansans served by credit courses through the public colleges and universities. This new study will reveal that more than 160,000 students enrolled in for-credit courses in the public institutions during the 2003-04 academic year just completed.”

Total Statewide Opening Fall Preliminary Enrollment of On-Schedule, For-Credit Students: Total preliminary headcount enrollment is an all-time high at 137,342. This is a one-year increase of 4,232 students or 3.2%. This is the tenth consecutive year that enrollment has topped 100,000 students and the second time that enrollment has been above 130,000 students. Since 2000, enrollment has increased by 20,254 students or 17.3%. Since 1990, total enrollment has increased by or 51,437 students or 60%.

Public Colleges and Universities: Total preliminary headcount enrollment at the public institutions is an all-time high at 124,011. This is a one-year increase of 4,047 students or 3.4%. This is the seventh consecutive year that enrollment has topped 100,000 students and the first time that enrollment has been above 120,000 students. Since 2000, enrollment has increased by 18,995 students or 18.1%. Since 1990, total enrollment has increased by or 48,157 students or 63.5%.

1. Fifteen of the twenty-two two-year institutions experienced enrollment increases. In the public two-year sector total headcount enrollment is an all-time high of 46,166, a one-year increase of 1,879 students or 4.2%. Since 2000, enrollment in this sector has increased by 10,571 students or 27.9%.

o Four two-year colleges experienced 1-year enrollment increases of greater than 10%. The leaders in this category are:

Southern Arkansas University – Tech, 24.4%

South Arkansas Community College, 19.6%

Pulaski Technical College, 17.9%

Mid-South Community College, 12.3%

o Four other two-year colleges experiencing 1-year enrollment increases of 5% or more are:

Northwest Arkansas Community College, 9.0%

University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, 8.7%

Ouachita Technical College, 6.9%

East Arkansas Community College, 6.3%

2. Ten of the eleven public four-year institutions experienced enrollment increases. In the public four-year sector total headcount enrollment is an all-time high of 77,845, a one-year increase of 2,168 students or 2.9%. Since 2000, enrollment in this sector has increased by 8,424 or 12.1%.

o Two four-year institutions experienced 1-year enrollment increases of greater than 5%. The leaders in this category are:

University of Central Arkansas, 5.9%

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 5.3%

o Two other four-year institute experiencing 1-year enrollment increases of 3% or more is:

Arkansas Tech University, 3.7%

University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, 3.5%

Independent Colleges and Universities: Total preliminary headcount enrollment at the independent institutions is an all-time high at 13,331. This is a one-year increase of 185 students or 1.4%. Since 2000, enrollment has increased by 1,259 students or 10.4%. Since 1990, total enrollment has increased by or 3,280 students or 32.6%.

For More Information:

Mr. Ron Harrell

501-371-2066

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