Purdue University Northwest saw increased enrollment in first-time freshman and full-time students.
The number of students attending college for the first time increased, PNW said in a statement. The increase was prominent at the college’s Westville campus, which saw a 17 percent increase in new student enrollment.
The college said overall freshman enrollment across both its Westville and Hammond campuses is up about 4% when compared to fall 2018 and has increased steadily over the past three years.
“These positive trends demonstrate the quality and value students and their families recognize in a Purdue Northwest education,” said Joy Colwell, interim vice chancellor of enrollment management and student affairs. “We also continue to see a steady increase in the percentage of first-time undergraduate students attending PNW full-time.”
Despite gains, the college said total enrollment fell by 4.5% to 10,006 students comprised of continuing students, transfers, those new to college, others enrolled in online programs and high school concurrent/dual credit enrollees.
She said the class of 2023 consists of 98% full-time students, the highest percentage of the last six years.
PNW attracts a diverse student population from a broad geographic area. Hispanic students represent 24% of this year’s first-time, full-time students. The freshman class as a whole is comprised of 41% minority and international students.
Nearly 11% of first-time students attending classes on campus are non-residents, a jump of about 17% from last year. Colwell said focused recruitment efforts and a reduced tuition rate for new domestic, out-of-state students contributed to the increase.
