<p>There are now 22,106 students enrolled at Nebraska, up 2% from last year. The number of freshman enrolled went up 8.1%. The Number of out-of-state students went up 6.5%. I guess the school is heading in the right direction. They'll need to watch it though, because I'd imagine the next two classes will have even more applicants. Being that anyone with a 20 ACT (or higher) and be ranked in the top half can get in, we might see more students than the University can handle IMO.</p>
<p>Hadn't checked this in a long time.</p>
<p>You're right that the school is improving and heading in the right direction. There are many positive things going on in Lincoln. Recruitment efforts aimed at out of state students have really improved over the last 6 years (compared to how it was when I was a HS senior).</p>
<p>I'd imagine that most of the out of state students are probably above the 20 ACT threshold, due to the scholarships like the New Nebraskans (George Beadle and the other two) Scholarship. </p>
<p>Interestingly enough, I'd wager that a significant portion of the increase is probably tied to do the university doing a better job of getting kids from Omaha (I know that sounds bizarre). I was involved in recruitment efforts all 4 years of undergrad, but during my senior year, there was a lot of talk about how the decreased numbers were buoyed by increased numbers at UNO and UNK, with a lot of discussion being aimed at how to "out-compete" the other schools in the system. Much of the focus for recruiting in-state kids is directed at showing them the opportunities UNL can provide that UNO or UNK can't. Overall recruitment by the University is an interesting mix of dynamics.</p>
<p>What'll be most important for the continued growth of the student population will be the Freshman retention rate. That's the key. First time freshman enrollment is great but means little if they dont' stick around. Given the programs that I know have been started in the past couple years I think that retention should be satisfactory. Dean Rita Keane (Dean of Undergraduate Studies - very nice woman, I had lunch with her a couple of various times) has really focused a lot of her attention to the freshman experience. </p>
<p>Overall, it's encouraging as an Alumni to see the University doing the right things. The important thing for the continued success right now is that Initiative 423 gets voted down. It's a spending cap similar to the one that was passed in Colorado several years ago which has caused nothing but problems. From my small sample size, support for the bill is almost zilch, but I worry about the rest of the state. But I also worry about any person who would ever vote for Pete Ricketts.</p>