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Enrollment at ASU breaks several records


September 13, 2012

Overall enrollment hits record 73,373

Preliminary 21st-day Fall 2012 semester enrollment figures indicate Arizona State University has reached a record 73,373 total of undergraduate and graduate students.

This figure tops last year's 72,254 21st-day fall enrollment figure by 1,119 students, and represents an increase of more than 5,300 students over the Fall 2009 semester.

Enrollment highlights include:

• New freshman and transfer student enrollment climbs to 16,450.

• Transfer partnerships expand with onsite offerings at Eastern Arizona College.

• Freshman class is academically stronger than ever.

• Graduate enrollment nears 14,000.

• International enrollment reaches new high.

• Lake Havasu City location enrolls inaugural class.

ASU’s new undergraduate student enrollment – nearly 9,300 first-time freshman and 7,150 transfer students from an all-time record of more than 51,000 applications for admission – topped 16,450 students for the first time in university history.

The academic preparation of the 2012 full-time freshman class is at an all-time high, with a mean high school grade point average of 3.47, ACT composite of 24.5 and SAT composite (for math and critical reading) of 1129.

Sun Devils also are more multicultural with 39 percent of the freshman class coming from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds – up from 24 percent eight years ago. While the majority of ASU’s students are resident Arizonans, 37 percent of the freshman class has been attracted to ASU from another state or country – up 2 percent from last year.

“We welcome our freshman class, new and returning students, and take pride that they have chosen our fine university as the place in which to further their education and build a foundation for their future,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “The academic strength of our freshman class is stronger than ever, exemplifying a talented and motivated group of students ready to take on the rigor of their academic programs, and discover new and exciting things about themselves, their communities and the world.”

Transfer enrollment at ASU also continues to increase, in part, due to the strong partnerships the university has formed with the community college systems throughout Arizona, and increases from students from other states and countries. The university’s innovative programs are helping academically qualified students at the community colleges transition more easily to ASU.

The university, for example, created an enrollment partnership with Eastern Arizona College (EAC) where 25 transfer and returning ASU degree-seeking students are completing degrees in nursing and organizational studies on the EAC Thatcher campus this fall semester.

International student enrollment at ASU also hit record levels – more than 5,160 total – up from 3,856 just two years ago, a 34 percent increase.

“Students from more than 120 countries are enrolling on ASU’s four campuses,” said Elizabeth D. Phillips, executive vice president and provost. “ASU is a world-class and world-recognized university, and students from abroad see us as a place that offers excellent academics, top-notch research opportunities, a supportive learning environment and a wonderful place to live.”

ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City became the university’s newest location this fall and 70 new Sun Devils now call it their educational home. ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City is part of an innovative effort to give students more affordable alternatives to getting a college degree.

“After more than a decade of planning on the part of the Havasu Foundation for Higher Education and the Lake Havasu community, it is exciting to see our site open and the arrival of students, faculty and staff bring it to life,” said David Young, director of the ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City. “It is such an important achievement for Lake Havasu City leaders, the community and the university, all of which worked tirelessly to make this a reality for the betterment of the city and the state of Arizona.”

Approximately 14,000 graduate students are part of the ASU academic community for this fall semester. The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the W. P. Carey School of Business, the College of Public Programs, the Herberger Institute for the Design and the Arts, the School of Letters and Sciences, and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College all experienced new graduate student enrollment increases.