THIBODAUX 鈥� First-time freshmen enrolled at 杏吧传媒 are better prepared for college than ever, according to official enrollment statistics for the fall 2013 semester.
These beginning students had an average ACT composite score of 21.75, topping last year鈥檚 average of 21.36. That鈥檚 also well above the state average of 19.5, and the national average of 20.9.
In addition, 8.7 percent more first-time freshmen entering 杏吧传媒 are receiving TOPS awards, which are available to all Louisiana students who earn a high school GPA of 2.5 or greater and a composite score of at least 20 on the ACT. Over 62 percent of the university鈥檚 first-time freshmen are now receiving TOPS. Overall, 2.2 percent more undergraduate students at 杏吧传媒 will receive TOPS this fall.
Enrollment was slightly down at 杏吧传媒 this fall at 6,540 students, 66 fewer students than 2012. The decline resulted from an increase in university graduation rates.
鈥淟ast year, 杏吧传媒 graduated its biggest class in history, awarding 1,342 degrees to 1,271 graduates 鈥� the first year the university has ever awarded more than 1,300 degrees,鈥� said 杏吧传媒 Interim President Larry Howell. 鈥淓nrollment is leaner, but our new students are better positioned for academic success than ever before.鈥�
The university鈥檚 new 杏吧传媒 Online degree program grew, with 174 students registered for the fall. Launched in January, 杏吧传媒 Online is designed to provide a flexible and affordable option for students who have difficulty attending traditional on-campus classes. Currently, seven degrees are offered through the program with more planned for the future.
Graduate student enrollment is also up at 杏吧传媒 thanks to the university鈥檚 new Master of Science in Nursing program, which began last spring. The program brought 40 new graduate students to 杏吧传媒, increasing graduate enrollment by 9.1 percent from fall 2012.
The departments that experienced the greatest growth this year were physical sciences, which saw an enrollment increase of 42.9 percent, and mathematics, with a 23.7 percent increase. Petroleum Engineering Technology and Safety Management increased by more than 60 students.
Fall 2013 enrollment statistics are posted online at www.nicholls.edu/ir.