STUDENT ENROLLMENT SOARS

UND records strongest growth in a decade, bucking national trends and making us the largest public university in the Dakotas.

More students are flocking to UND. Our enrollment, for the fourth straight year, is growing, with 14,172 students attending classes this fall – an increase of 296 students or 2.13% over fall 2022. This year marks UND’s strongest growth in 10 years in both absolute terms and percentage figures.

“It is an exciting time to be at UND,” said Janelle Kilgore, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management. “Throughout our admissions cycle, we have had the energy and desire to educate prospective students about the value of UND. It is humbling that new students are selecting us, as we truly believe we have the best education and student experience around.”

UND is experiencing this growth when schools across the nation and in the Upper Midwest are reporting enrollment declines. Nationwide, total graduate and undergraduate enrollment fell 7% from spring 2019 to spring 2023, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

All sectors of the UND student population are growing, including the number of freshman Presidential Scholars – up 16%. Additionally, retention of first-time, fulltime students increased from 78.87% to 82.96%, which is credited to an increased emphasis on connections with faculty mentors and other first-time students, as well as access to more experiential learning opportunities and additional resources.

Using 2022 enrollment figures as a comparison, enrollment increases include:

• New freshman enrollment: +0.74%

• New transfer students: +10%

• Total undergraduate enrollment: +2.9%

• New freshman Presidential Scholars: +16.63%

• First-time, full-time student retention rate: +4.09%

• Student credit hours: +1.6%

Growth Factors

Increased scholarship offerings are a key reason UND has been able to grow its enrollment. “Scholarships allow us to stress how valued the students are to the University. Through them, the University is able to place monetary value on the importance of hard work,” Janelle Kilgore said.

“They also reduce financial barriers to enable more students access to a UND education.”

Enhancing the student experience helps UND retain students. Art Malloy, Vice President of Student Affairs, said the University has been intentional about its focus on student involvement and leadership. “We have more student organizations than we’ve had in the past. We have more students serving as peer educators and getting involved in their residence halls. Graduate and professional students are getting involved in the types of things that help them develop networks they need to be successful.”

“I certainly think that a place like the University of North Dakota is going to provide all the opportunities to help students be successful,” he said. \\\