Public college, university enrollment up in Ohio

10/23/2008

Enrollment in University System of Ohio colleges and universities is up 2.7 percent, the Ohio Board of Regents announced Wednesday.

The combined enrollment of the system s higher education institutions was 478,376 students for the fall semester, an increase of 12,520 students over the same time last year.

The largest increase was among the 24 regional branch campuses, which grew by 4.6 percent. Enrollment in the system s 23 community colleges increased 3 percent and the 14 university campuses went up 2.2 percent.

The University of Toledo increased 5.7 percent to 22,336 students this year, and Owens Community College rose 4.3 percent to 21,296. Bowling Green State University s enrollment dropped 2.2 percent to 20,228 students.

Some of the enrollment gains are attributed to Ohio s two-year tuition freeze, partnerships between colleges and universities, increased distance learning courses, more adults taking courses part time or returning to college, and increasing student support services.

It s encouraging to see that such a wide variety of student-centered strategies are working to bring people to campus, Chancellor Eric Fingerhut said in a statement.