U. of Akron enrollment increases for 2nd year

The incoming freshman class is up by nearly 6 percent over last year.

AKRON — The University of Akron’s strong enrollment growth in 2006 has continued for a second consecutive academic year.

The university reported another large freshman class, an overall increase of an estimated 4.9 percent and another increase in high-achieving students this fall.

Akron’s 14-day enrollment figures show the total number of students at the university this fall is 24,704 as compared with 23,539 in fall 2006.

Student credit hours are up from 270,557 last year to 287,336 this fall, a 6.2-percent boost.

The number of incoming freshmen this fall is 4,176, a 5.8 percent increase from 2006. A primary quality indicator of incoming freshmen — direct admission into one of the university’s degree-granting colleges — also saw a large increase: 1,031 in 2007, up 8 percent from 2006.

The graduate and professional student body — those who are pursuing master’s, doctoral and law degrees — grew by 5 percent to 4,036.

Transformation

Akron’s new enrollment figures, which outpace many other Ohio public universities, are a testament to the ongoing transformation at The University of Akron — both academically and physically, said President Luis M. Proenza.

“A dynamic campus life is drawing students to The University of Akron,” he said. “Students and others throughout our region, state and nation are drawn to our outstanding academic opportunities, growing and innovative Honors College, award-winning residence hall programming, living-learning communities, a new state-of-the-art Exchange Street Residence Hall, successful athletic programs and plans for a new on-campus stadium complex.”

More University of Akron students are living on campus for 2007-08. This year, 3,141 students received a spot in one of the university’s 15 residence halls, creating a waiting list of 161 students.