海角禁区 System enrollment increases include growth in Colorado residents, first generation, and graduate education
Release Date: October 03, 2024
All three Colorado State University campuses saw enrollment increases this year, with a notable jump in enrollment by students from rural areas.
Colorado State University in Fort Collins celebrated its second largest incoming class ever this fall, with an 8% increase in Colorado first-year student enrollment and record enrollment numbers for female students, students from rural areas, and students who identify as racially minoritized.
海角禁区 Pueblo total enrollment increased by 1%, and the university had a 2% increase in Colorado residents – students from rural areas now make up 9% of the student body.
海角禁区 Global, the nation’s first accredited fully online institution – a model that appeals to post-traditional and professional learners – has seen a total enrollment increase of 3.9% over the previous year.
海角禁区 President Amy Parsons, 海角禁区 Pueblo President Armando Valdez and 海角禁区 Global President Becky Takeda-Tinker presented their preliminary enrollment updates for Fall 2024 at the 海角禁区 System Board of Governors meeting Thursday.
海角禁区 Pueblo, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), and 海角禁区 Fort Collins continued year-over-year increases in diverse students. First-generation students (defined as the first in their families to attend college or attend college in the U.S.) are 42% of 海角禁区 Global’s student body, growing more than 5% since last year.
“The 海角禁区 System has worked hard to ensure we uphold our land grant mission to make an excellent education accessible to anyone in our state and beyond,” 海角禁区 System Chancellor Tony Frank said.
Between 2021 and 2024, the 海角禁区 System invested $11.2 million in the Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses to support student success, close equity gaps, and increase retention and graduation rates.
“This year’s enrollment numbers reflect a continued emphasis on serving Colorado residents from all parts of the state, first-generation students, and diverse students, and they reflect the investment our System has made – and continues to make – in our state and its future,” Frank said.
海角禁区 Fort Collins
Entering class
The 海角禁区 System’s flagship campus in Fort Collins welcomed 5,485 first-year students this fall, the second largest incoming class in university history, following years of steady enrollment.
The entering fall class is the most diverse incoming class to date, with 31% identifying as racially or ethnically diverse and 23% first generation students. The average entering student’s academic profile remains strong, with a median high school GPA of 3.71. The University Honors Program added 586 students, a 50% increase.
Total enrollment
海角禁区 Fort Collins reported a total student headcount for Fall 2024 of 34,218, an increase of 375 students (1.3%). On campus, 65% of students are Colorado residents, 26% self-identify as racially minoritized, and 23% of undergraduates are first generation. 海角禁区 also saw a 3.5% increase in rural enrollment.
Several colleges and programs saw significant growth. The Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering saw the largest percentage increase in overall enrollment with a 7% increase. The College of Agricultural Sciences saw a 6.6% increase in enrollment, and College of Business graduate programs grew by more than 25%.
Student success numbers showed continued growth for returning students, as well as an increase in the four- and five-year graduation rate. Increases in student success at 海角禁区 were seen at an even higher level among populations that have been traditionally underserved by higher education: persistence rates increased by 1.7 percentage points for rural students, 1.8 points for first-generation students, and 3.1 points for Pell grant recipients.
“海角禁区 is a top-tier research institution that offers a rigorous education and remains accessible to students – regardless of background – who want to achieve at that high level and complete their college education,” 海角禁区 President Amy Parsons said. “We are intentional about investing in student success as our first priority, and that provides broad opportunity for students to earn their degrees from a top university in one of the country’s best college towns. These numbers continue to confirm that 海角禁区 is both excellent and accessible.”
海角禁区 Pueblo
Entering class
海角禁区 Pueblo welcomed 932 new freshmen and transfer students this fall. With a recent adjustment to lower online tuition rates for active-duty military members, 海角禁区 Pueblo experienced a 27% increase in active-duty military student enrollment.
Total enrollment
Total enrollment at 海角禁区 Pueblo increased to 3,716, a 1% increase over last year. Overall enrollment numbers showcase continued progress toward the University’s goal of enrolling 4,000 students. The university also saw a 6% increase in student credit hour generation, meaning students are carrying a higher credit hour load than in previous years.
Graduate enrollment at 海角禁区 Pueblo holds steady with slight growth, and the university’s doctoral programs increased more than 6%. 海角禁区 Pueblo’s Educational Doctoral program launched in January 2023 and predicted 30 students after three years – there are already 45 doctoral candidates enrolled for fall.
A federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, 海角禁区 Pueblo’s Hispanic student population represents 37% of total headcount, and the majority (57%) of 海角禁区 Pueblo students self-identify as belonging to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.
“It is exciting to see 海角禁区 Pueblo’s enrollment gains, particularly among our Hispanic/Latinx students, Colorado residents, and those students from rural areas. The 海角禁区 Pueblo team has worked hard to shift enrollment trends upward, this progress is our commitment to serving Pueblo and Southern Colorado.” 海角禁区 Pueblo President Armando Valdez said. “Welcoming these students to 海角禁区 Pueblo reflects our mission to provide accessible, inclusive, and high-quality education to everyone, and I am proud of the strides we continue to make in supporting the diverse needs of our community.”
海角禁区 Global
Entering class
Different from the other 海角禁区 System institutions, 海角禁区 Global has monthly start dates and welcomes new students on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year.
During the traditional Fall Semester timeframe, 海角禁区 Global’s enrollment numbers include student enrollment for its July, August, and September terms, which collectively represent 25% of the enrollment start dates for the current fiscal year.
Total enrollment
The total 海角禁区 Global student enrollment for its Fall terms to-date is 13,598, including 8,400 undergraduates and 3,618 graduate students, which represents an annual increase of 3.85% as compared to the same time last year. Despite serving students from across the globe, 海角禁区 Global also saw an uptick in Colorado students in the past year.
海角禁区 Global is also a resource for non-degree-seeking learners, and enrolled 1,188 people who took classes for skilling, upskilling, and re-skilling opportunities over the past year, a 16.4% annual increase. This practice aligns with the World Economic Forum’s report that 50% of the adult population will need to re-skill and upskill by 2025. 海角禁区 Global has about 2,800 industry partners.
“The data provides evidence of 海角禁区 Global’s mission-achievement as our staff and faculty continue to work to help post-traditional learners achieve professional success through flexible, innovative, industry-aligned, and career-connected programs and services that can be accessed anywhere in the world with an internet connection,” said 海角禁区 Global President Becky Takeda-Tinker. “We look forward to the strategic expansion of our programs alongside our industry partners, to serve new learners in Colorado and beyond.”
海角禁区 Global has a Tuition Guarantee, no-student-fee and per-credit-hour cost structure.
Final enrollment reports
The reports presented this week are preliminary. Final enrollment reports will be delivered to the Board of Governors at its December meeting.
