Enrollment for the entire North Dakota University System grew modestly this fall, though the number of full-time students decreased slightly, according to data released Friday by the system office in Bismarck.
A total of 48,800 students were enrolled in the state system's 11 colleges and universities, an increase of 1.9 percent compared with last fall. Of these 33,800 were fulltime students, down 0.7 percent.
NDUS said some schools saw enrollment decline, perhaps because of flooding or because would-be students were drawn away by high pay in the oil fields.
Gains and losses
Among the flagship universities, UND saw its enrollment increase 3.5 percent to 14,700, higher than rival North Dakota State University for the first time in four years. The number of fulltime students increased 1.4 percent to 11,000.
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NDSU enrollment decreased 0.1 percent to 14,400. The number of fulltime students decreased 1.5 percent to 11,700.
The biggest percentage gain among all schools was at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton with enrollment increasing 10.4 percent to 3,100. The number of fulltime students increased 5.2 percent to 1,800.
Minot State University located in a city stricken by flood this summer saw enrollment decrease 5.4 percent. The number of fulltime students decreased 7.9 percent.
In the Grand Forks region, Lake Region State College in Devils Lake also was a big gainer, with an enrollment increase of 7.5 percent to 2,100. It had the third best enrollment gain, just below NDSCS and Valley City State University. The number of fulltime students at Lake Region decreased 1.1 percent to 518, however.
Mayville (N.D.) State University saw enrollment decrease 1.2 percent to 970, though the number of fulltime students increased 2.9 percent to 568.
Other schools that saw enrollment declines include Dakota College of Bottineau, down 5.9 percent, and Dickinson State College, down 5.5 percent. The number of fulltime students at the schools increased 3.8 percent and decreased 3.3 percent, respectively.
10-year data
Since 2002, the system has seen enrollment increase 23.3 percent, an average of 2.4 percent a year. The number of fulltime students increased 13.1 percent.
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UND saw enrollment increase 18.3 percent and the number of fulltime students increase 9.4 percent. NDSU reported 29.2 percent and 31.5 percent respectively.
The biggest percentage gain belongs to Lake Region, which saw enrollment increase 53.4 percent. The number of fulltime students increased 28.9 percent.
Mayville State enrollment increased 30 percent. The number of fulltime students decreased 1.9 percent.
Minot State's decrease attributed to flooding undid almost all of its work in recent years turning enrollment around. Enrollment grew just 0.9 percent. The number of fulltime students decreased 8.9 percent.
While no school saw enrollment declines, several saw fewer fulltime students including: Dickinson State, down 2.2 percent; NDSCS, down 4.3 percent; and Williston State College, down 26 percent.
