Census confirms record fall enrollment

It’s official. UCCS had record enrollments this fall, setting new highs in overall enrollment, new freshmen and graduate students.

The Office of Institutional Research recently completed its fall data book, a statistical look at UCCS following the official fall census date. Figures changed slightly from preliminary data reported to the CU Board of Regents on Sept. 8.

By official counts, UCCS overall enrollment grew by 696 students or 6.2 percent. For fall 2016, enrollment was 11,995. That overall enrollment included a record enrollment of 2,056 freshman students, a 418 student or 25 percent increase from last year. By comparison, UCCS enrolled 1,447 freshman students in fall 2012, representing a 609 student or 42 percent increase in five years.

Enrollment of graduate students also set records. For fall 2016, there are 1,808 graduate students on campus, a 127 student or 7.5 percent increase from a year ago. By comparison, UCCS enrolled 1,606 graduate students in fall 2012, representing a 202 student or 12.6 percent increase in five years.

“We are pleased that UCCS continues to attract students who are interested in improving their futures and that of their families and home communities,” Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak said. “UCCS is an institution that is both high-quality and financially accessible to students from throughout our region.”

UCCS also continues to attract a diverse student body.

For fall 2016, 32 percent of undergraduates and 21 percent of graduate students self-identified as a member of an ethnic minority group. Both figures represent increases from previous years. The average age of UCCS remained at 25 years with undergraduates averaging 23.5 years and graduate students 34.2.

Additionally, almost 30 percent of undergraduate students and 20 percent of graduate students self-report they are first-generation college students. First-generation is defined as students whose parents did not earn a four-year degree.

For more information about fall enrollment, visit http://www.uccs.edu/Documents/ir/databooks/FallDatabook.pdf or contact Robyn Marschke, director, Office of Institutional Research, 255-3640.