WMU sees 1.9 percent decrease in student enrollment this fall compared to last, according to new report

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New enrollment numbers at Western Michigan University have a dip in nearly 500 students compared to last fall, according to a new report released by the Office of Institutional Research this morning.

The new data shows that 24,598 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled for classes at the university this fall, compared to 25,086 last year, a decrease of 1.9 percent.

A slightly larger decrease was seen in regards to undergrad students. 19,478 undergrads enrolled this fall compared to 20,054 last year, a 2.9 percent decrease.

In comparison, graduate enrollment saw a slight bump, with 5,120 students enrolled this semester compared to 5,032 last year, an increase of 1.7 percent.

This year’s numbers mark the first decline in combined student enrollment in three years. Back in fall semester of 2009, the school saw an enrollment decline of 1.5 percent, losing over 300 students.

Below is a chart showing a breakdown of enrollment based off of the various academic colleges at the university, provided via the institutional research office:

The Western Herald will provide an update to this story later on today.

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