Shattering an enrollment record set just last year, West Virginia Universitys fall enrollment ranks highest in the history of the institution. Fall enrollment on the main campus in Morgantown is up over 700 students for the third year in a row. A total of 24,260 students are attending the University compared to 23,492 last fall.

Before last years record, the previous high was in 1993 when 23,080 students attended WVU .

This years enrollment record is due in part to an 11 percent increase in first-time freshmen, the largest class in WVU s history. The number of first-time freshmen rose by 437 students, for a total of 4,415.

The average ACT composite test score of WVU s Fall 2003 first-time freshmen also increasedfrom 22.7 in Fall 2002 to 22.9, or 2.1 points above the national average ACT composite of 20.8. Likewise, the average combined SAT score of first-time freshmen increased from 1042 in Fall 2002 to 1058. This average combined SAT score is 32 points above the national average of 1026.

What is important about the upward trend of the incoming students’scores and GPA is that we have matriculated the largest freshman class without compromising our quality. Indeed, we continue to strengthen the academic profile and reputation of our university,”said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.”We offer a student experience that rivals small private institutions, and at the same time offers exceptional academic opportunities that can only come from a major comprehensive research university.

Despite the decline of international student enrollment at other institutions nationwide, the number of international students at WVU increased to its highest level ever: 1,403 students, an increase of 6 percent from last year.

WVUs regional campuses in Parkersburg, Keyser and Montgomery also experienced headcount enrollment increases73 more students at WVU -Parkersburg for a total of 3,443; 22 more students at Potomac State College of WVU for a total of 1,330; and 5 more students at WVU Institute of Technology for a total of 2,473.

WVUs combined headcount enrollment at the four campuses is 31,506an increase of 868 students over last falls 30,638 count, or 2.83 percent.

Other WVU enrollment highlights:

* Full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment of 22,648 represents an increase of 1,060 students, or 5 percent. Undergraduate FTE rose by 6 percent, while the graduate and first-professional FTE both increased by about 2 percent. FTE is a number equating full and part-time students based on student credit hours enrolled.

* In-state residents make up 61 percent of the total, while out-of-state students represent 39 percent.

* Enrollment in the Health Sciences Center colleges increased by 11 percent (216 students) compared to last year. This increase was primarily in the School of Medicine at the undergraduate level and mostly can be attributed to an increase in the exercise physiology degree program. The increase in exercise physiology represents a shift of students from physical therapy, which stopped offering an undergraduate degree program effective fall 2003. Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in physical therapy are typically choosing exercise physiology as their undergraduate major. All four colleges in the Health Sciences Center experienced an increase in enrollment.

* The number of undergraduates enrolled exclusively in off-campus courses increased dramatically by 78 percent to 339 students from last years enrollment of 190.

* Female and male students are about equally represented.

* Pennsylvania still contributes the most non-resident students with 2,981 total. Enrollment from Virginia showed the largest increase of 17 percent (148 students).