WSU enrollment stable

Enrollment at Wichita State University for fall 2010 is 14,806 students, a decrease of 17 students or 0.1 percent compared to fall 2009, according to the official enrollment report given to the Kansas Board of Regents following the 20th day of classes.

Total student credit hours are 156,807 in fall 2010, an increase of 0.2 percent compared to fall 2009 and the second highest number of student credit hours since 1989.

The average credit hour load taken by WSU undergraduate students continues to gradually increase. This fall the average credit hour load is 11.49 for undergraduates — the highest since at least fall 1980.

"Having our enrollment and credit hour production remain virtually unchanged with last year’s strong numbers show that people place high value on Wichita State University,” said Wade Robinson, vice president for campus life and university relations.

Robinson also said the diversity of the student body continues to increase, reflecting the diverse nature of the Wichita metropolitan area.

“Our Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning programs are a major factor in students choosing to pursue their education at WSU,” said Robinson. “We have the largest program in the state, and parents and students know employers want graduates who are work-ready and world-ready at the same time. This sets Wichita State apart from any other university in Kansas.”

Almost 88 percent of WSU freshmen are full-time students this fall compared to almost 68 percent in fall 2000.

The percentage of full-time graduate students today is 40.5 percent, compared to 29.8 percent 10 years ago in 2000.

This fall there are 10,620 undergraduate students from Kansas, compared to 10,586 students in fall 2009, for an increase of 0.3 percent. Of those, 9,399 are undergraduate students from Sedgwick County.

There are 716 out-of-state undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at WSU this fall, compared to 707 students a year ago, an increase of 1.3 percent.

WSU has 1,282 international students, almost 9 percent of the student body.

“New initiatives like the Advanced Education and General Dentistry facility and the renovation and addition to the Rhatigan Student Center are just two ways in which the public can see our commitment to excellence in academic programs and facilities,” said Robinson.