MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Northern Michigan University has released this semester’s 10th-day enrollment report. Despite growth in other areas, the size of this year’s freshman class is down compared to previous years.
While more than 1,800 new students registered for classes this fall, the university saw a slight decrease in overall enrollment, with a total headcount of 6,961. President Dr. Chris Olsen believes three primary factors have contributed to the dip, including a smaller population of 17- and 18-year-olds leaving high school. Secondly, he says that due to budgetary pressures, the Big Ten schools in Michigan are offering more scholarships and accepting more graduates than usual.
The third factor Olsen cites is State programs like the Community College Guarantee and Michigan Reconnect, which are drawing students to two-year institutions rather than four-year institutions.
“The State has made this commitment to free community college, which I think is affecting all the four-year universities,” Olsen told WZMQ 19 News. “A lot of students are choosing to do that first—not necessarily a bad thing. We are excited to welcome them as transfer students when they finish their two-year degrees.
Returning student numbers are also down slightly this semester. However, Olsen says there is an upside to that change.
“The good news there is that it’s mainly because they’re graduating at such a high rate,” he said. “Our four-year graduation rate’s gone up about 20% over the last decade, so that’s great. Students are doing really well and graduating and getting on.”
To boost enrollment moving forward, NMU has increased investments into its Honors Program. The university has also launched a grant for students seeking “high-impact” experiences.
“For students who start next fall, they will be eligible for an outside-the-classroom grant to support things like study abroad and undergraduate research or internships and work-based learning,” said Olsen. “Those are things that we know make a big difference for students down the road. For students that are using everything they can to pay for their college, it’s hard to think about those kinds of additional costs, right? The university is really going to step up and really help support those experiences.”
Olsen says NMU is experiencing growth in its programming, as well as in its national market.
“We track places like Colorado and California and Texas, and we continue to grow there,” he said. “A lot of that is geared toward really high-quality programs—theater and dance, sustainability and biology—and also the location. It’s a place that’s very appealing for a lot of folks in terms of lifestyle and livability.”
As for students currently enrolled, Olsen hopes that they are looking forward to a great year ahead.
“College is hard sometimes, and it takes a lot of commitment, but it should be fun too,” he said. “Have a good time while you’re here and work hard.”
To help combat the rising cost of higher education, Northern Michigan University previously launched a Tuition Advantage Program, which allows Pell-eligible students who qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to pay no tuition. New this year, NMU’s Tuition Advantage Plus program can cover up to $1,000 in additional start-up fees and expenses, including the university’s recreation pass, green fund, one-time athletic fee, and distance education fee for web courses.
