CSU-Pueblo fall enrollment shows increases in Pueblo County, online, down overall

PUEBLO – Colorado State University-Pueblo officials today announced 2017 fall enrollment figures, which showed an increase in online students and higher diversity and index scores, but a decline overall.

CSU-Pueblo President Timothy Mottet said administrators had projected an overall decline based on national trends for regional comprehensive universities as well as the University’s demographics and enrollment trends with feeder high schools and community colleges. Overall headcount enrollment is 4,053 (3819 undergraduates and 234 graduate students), compared to 4242 in 2016, a decline of 4.5 percent. The overall student population included increases in non-resident students, with notable jumps from New Mexico, Illinois, and Florida. The 2017 Fall student population represents 39 states and 33 countries.

The University serves more than 10,000 students annually (many of whom are not included in the reportable figures), including those in high school concurrent enrollment classes, the English Language Institute, teacher certification, and continuing education courses offered through Extended Studies.

Mottet was pleased that even with the uncertain political climate due to travel bans and immigration policy, the numbers of international students enrolled held steady at 105 (compared to 106 last fall) with the largest representations from China (23), the United Kingdom (9), and South Korea (6). The total student population remains one of the most diverse in Colorado at 46 percent minority and 32 percent Hispanic.

Fall enrollment included 66 new students enrolled in online programs in Construction Management and Master of Business Administration, a positive sign given the focus on diversifying course delivery options for students. The construction management program has nearly doubled in size due to the new online option, which complements the on-campus program.  Fall enrollment also included 21 students in the Wildlife and Natural Resources major, the first of five new programs to be added at the University over the next few years.

The 728 new freshmen enrolled this fall represent 28 states and 7 countries and was evenly split male to female. More than 53 percent of the freshmen class reported being from a minority group, and 38 percent identified as being of Hispanic/Latino descent. The freshman class also showed higher index scores (a combination of grade point average and ACT or SAT scores) up two points from a 99 median score for Fall 2016 freshmen to 101 for Fall 2017 freshmen. 

Over the past five years, the University has attracted more students from beyond Colorado’s borders. In 2017, 83 percent of students were from Colorado compared to 88 percent in 2013. However, efforts to increase recruitment in Pueblo County reaped benefits with 23 additional freshmen compared to last fall (288 to 311).

“The University has plans in place to increase new freshman numbers next year by continuing our focus on Southern Colorado while spending time in key external markets that show an affinity for Pueblo,” said Mottet.

Mottet said part of the strategy also is the recognition that prospective students from Southern California tend to be drawn to CSU-Pueblo for the academic and athletic programs, climate, and outdoor opportunities here, so beginning in August, the University placed a regional admissions counselor there to build relationships with students and families. He said the University is committed to enhancing relationships with the local school systems and serving as the four-year degree option for students. 

CSU-Pueblo has partnered with a new vendor, Capture Higher Ed, to improve yield rates through data collection and re-targeted advertising campaigns. Facility investments such as the new General Classroom Building, the renovation and expansion of the Occhiato University Center, and Thunder Village,  a new commercial development on the east side of campus near the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl, have become attractive selling points in current and future recruitment efforts.

In addition, recognizing that more potential students are concerned about college affordability, CSU-Pueblo has partnered with RaiseMe to begin promoting a microscholarship program that allows students to begin earning and tracking their potential CSU-Pueblo financial assistance as early as their freshman year of high school. Students interested in learning more should visit https://www.raise.me/join/csupueblo