North Dakota colleges and universities are experiencing a surge in student enrollment, bucking national trends and signaling renewed interest in higher education across the state. This growth, up 3.8% for the NDUS this semester,isn’t limited to specific programs – institutions like Bismarck State College and the University of Mary are both hitting record numbers thanks to relevant workforce training and expanded opportunities,including athletics. Discover how these schools are attracting students and what this increase means for the future of North Dakota’s workforce in the full story.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Colleges and universities around North Dakota are seeing high enrollment numbers.
Officials at the North Dakota University System said this is the highest enrollment they have seen since 2014. More than 47,000 students are attending North Dakota institutions this semester, which is just short of the NDUS record in 2011 at almost 49,000.
All 11 of the NDUS institutions have seen this growth in students.
“What you’ll see is a general increase amongst dual credit high school, general increase amongst undergrads, a general increase amongst online only, nothing spiking any more than the rest, but it’s a general increase of what we’ve been seeing over the last few bienniums, last few years,” said Brent Sandford, commissioner of higher education.
But especially Bismarck State College, which has hit record numbers over the last seven semesters.
Officials at the college credit this to the school’s programs, which vary from two-year degrees to four-year degrees and certifications. The college also recently moved to the NAIA and Frontier Conference, attracting athletes from all over the world.
“I think it goes to show that students are interested in the message,” said Karen Erickson, dean of enrollment management. “The opportunity to get education and then have it relevant to a workforce, a career or to transfer on and finish their degree.”
But this growth isn’t exclusive to NDUS institutions. In Bismarck, the University of Mary is also seeing record-breaking numbers of student enrollment.
“The exciting part about this is that it’s overall, it’s not one specific major or program,” said Rachael Brash, vice president for public affairs.
Sanford said that on the NDUS side, they’ve seen growth in health care programs and majors.
The NDUS said numbers for this semester are 3.8% higher than last year. The gains in college students are not just in North Dakota, but other college systems across the nation are seeing the same trends.
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