University of Idaho experienced a 4.7% increase overall in enrollment this fall, with the highest enrollment increase being in undergraduate and non-Idaho residents.
This year held the largest freshman class the university has seen since 2016, with a 16.2% enrollment increase compared to last fall.
At the same time, first-year retention is down 2.2%. UI attributes this to the pandemic and the smaller starting numbers of the Fall 2020 class.
“Our current student mix is changing rapidly,” Dean Kahler, vice provost for Strategic Enrollment Management, stated in a press release. “Our marketing and price point are resonating with the out-of-state market. We are pleased with the non-resident response and believe non-residents are attracted by UI being the best value public university in the West for the second year in a row as ranked by U.S. News and World Report.”
Western Undergraduate Exchange enrollment for Fall 2021 was 1,415, up 15% from 1,223 in 2020. Overall non-resident enrollment is up 10.6%.
Graduate enrollment is also up 8.2% and dual-credit enrollment is up 19.9% from last year with general non-degree enrollment up 18.4%.
UI appears to be in good financial standing for the upcoming year. President Scott Green indicated in an email to staff that UI is shaping up to end the year in a revenue excess of $2.5 million.
Abigail Spencer can be reached at [email protected]