University of Idaho Fall 2021 Student Enrollment Up 4.7% Largest Freshman Class in Five Years

MOSCOW, Idaho – Oct. 19, 2021 — Overall student enrollment at the University of Idaho for the fall 2021 is 11,303 students, up more than 4.7% over fall 2020 enrollment of 10,791 students. The increase is in several categories: first-year students, transfers, non-resident, WUE and international and graduate students.

“We are energized by the enrollment increase, especially considering the challenges of the pandemic,” University of Idaho President Scott Green said. “It is clear students and their families appreciate the value of a great education and understand being part of the Vandal Family is something special.”

Undergraduate Enrollment

First-year student undergraduate enrollment is 1,656, up 16.2% percent over enrollment of 1,425 in fall 2020 and is the largest freshman class at the University of Idaho since 2016. New Idaho resident first-year enrollment is up 5.2% Transfer enrollment is 524, up 11.7% over 2020.

• Undergraduate enrollment is up 0.4%.
• Non-resident undergraduate enrollment is up 10.6%
• WUE is up 15%
• International undergraduate enrollment is up 38%
• Total Idaho resident undergraduate enrollment is down 4.7%

Graduate Enrollment

Graduate student enrollment is 1,947 students, up 8.2% this fall over 1,798 in fall 2020. The university invested in more competitive packages for graduate teaching assistants, which generated increased interest in graduate programs and helped fulfill the university’s educational mission while supporting students in their graduate studies. The university also enhanced professional development opportunities for graduate students, making U of I more attractive to students seeking advanced degrees.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

The WUE program provides a tuition discount to students outside Idaho and includes all 16 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states. Total WUE students in fall 2021 increased 15% to 1,415, up from 1,223 in 2020. Overall non-resident undergraduate enrollment (including non-WUE students) is up 10.6% or 465 students, over fall 2020.

“Our current student mix is changing rapidly,” said Dean Kahler, vice provost for Strategic Enrollment Management. “Our marketing and price point are resonating with the out-of-state market. We are pleased with the non-resident response and believe non-residents are attracted by the U of I being the best value public university in the West for the second year in a row as ranked by U.S. News and World Report.”

Diversity

Overall undergraduate enrollment is up for Hispanic/Latino students by 8.5%, up 13.2% for Asian students, up 4.9% for African American students and up 9.3% in students who identify with two or more races.

Dual-Credit Enrollment

Dual-credit enrollment (high school students enrolled in classes with university credits), sits at 1,641 this fall, up 19.9% over 2020. Dual-credit is an initiative supported by the Idaho Legislature through the Fast Forward program, now in its fourth year. Fall 2021 non-degree student enrollment is 1,981, up 18.4% over 1,616 in fall 2020.

This is an important population for the university as these will be our incoming freshmen in the coming years.

Retention

First-year retention is down 2.2% . The impact of the COVID pandemic caused a reduction in continuing students. The smaller first-year class in Fall 2020 replaced a much larger graduating class. Retention of our continuing students is a top priority for the university and we continue to evaluate strategies to support our students, including enhancing student financial support and adjusting policies to accommodate students’ needs during this time.

Note: Consistent with the Idaho State Board of Education’s guidelines, the University of Idaho records fall term enrollment numbers on Oct. 15 of each year and reports those numbers to the State of Idaho and federal officials. Data reflected in this release are as reported to the Idaho State Board of Education.

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Media Contact

Jodi Walker
Director of Communications
208-885-4295
jwalker@uidaho.edu