Best of 2014: Growth in Key Areas

"UNO Enrollment Holds Steady, Improves in Key Areas"

September, 2014

Today, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has announced that 2014's enrollment numbers have remained stable and match last year's impressive numbers with more than 15,000 students enrolling for the Fall semester while also improving in key areas, including graduate student enrollment, international student enrollment, minority student enrollment and student retention.

After enrolling one of the largest classes in history at 15,227 in 2013, UNO has maintained that number in 2014, signaling a trend of success and stability. Overall, UNO has increased attendance by 10.1 percent overall compared to a decade ago.

Specifically, UNO’s commitment to master’s and doctoral research has helped increase the campus’ graduate population to more than 3,000 students, which is 4 percent higher than last year. Additionally, the number of full-time graduate students has jumped more than 10 percent from last year to nearly 1,000 students.

“It is an exciting time for graduate education at UNO,” said Deborah Smith-Howell, Dean of Graduate Studies. “Our master’s and doctoral programs attract exceptional students from the metropolitan area, the region and the world."

Since it’s reclassification as a doctoral/research institution by the Carnegie Foundation, in 2011, UNO has seen growth in its graduate population. This can be credited, in part, to the fact that many UNO’s programs are ranked by U.S. News and World Report, several of which are considered to be within the top 10 or top 20 in the country.

“The growth in graduate students, especially in full-time as well as international and minority students, reflects the growing awareness of the quality and value of a UNO graduate education,” said Smith-Howell.

The increasingly world-wide nature of UNO’s campus extends to undergraduates as well. In total, more than one quarter of UNO’s campus population is ethnically diverse.

Compared to last year, UNO’s minority student population rose by more than 7 percent to 3,548 and international students rose nearly 17 percent to a total of 855. All told, UNO students represent more than 120 countries across the world.

UNO has also made strides in recruiting students to some of the world’s most in-demand careers, with increasing enrollments within the College of Business Administration, which increased its enrollment to 2,410, a 2 percent increase, and the College of Information Science and Technology, which increased it’s overall enrollment to a record 1,155, which is an increase of 13 percent over 2013.

“At a time when qualified IT professionals are in urgent demand locally and nationally, the college of Information Science and Technology is privileged that a record number of students are selecting our innovative programs,” explained Dean Hesham Ali. “By offering mentoring programs, unique educational experiences, opportunities to engage in applied research projects and forming close ties with businesses, our students are able to take full advantage of our pathbreaking model and launch successful careers.”

This year’s enrollment numbers also indicate that more students who enroll at UNO are staying at UNO. This year’s first-to-second year retention for new students is expected to hit an all-time high at 73.5 percent, a 4 percent increase since 2011. Additionally, second-to-third year retention is expected to exceed 60 percent, which is a 5 percent increase from the previous year.

UNO’s continued success in key demographic and academic priority areas is a reflection of the administration’s focus on growth – both geographically and educationally. With the recent addition of a state-of-the art biomechanics research building, a first-of-its-kind community engagement center and the upcoming opening of a new university/community area, Omaha’s university is poised to be an educational leader in the 21st century.

http://www.unomaha.edu/news/2014/09/enrollment.php