{"id":8244,"date":"2020-09-04T21:18:02","date_gmt":"2020-09-04T21:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu\/news\/?p=8244"},"modified":"2020-09-04T21:59:48","modified_gmt":"2020-09-04T21:59:48","slug":"nicholls-fall-enrollment-the-highest-since-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu\/news\/2020\/09\/04\/nicholls-fall-enrollment-the-highest-since-2011\/","title":{"rendered":"ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Fall Enrollment the Highest Since 2011"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THIBODAUX, La. — Record retention rates and an increase in online students have pushed ÐÓ°É´«Ã½\u2019s Fall enrollment to its highest total in almost a decade.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ enrolled 6,780 students, according to 14th-day class statistics, the largest since 2011. The 4 percent year-to-year increase is also the largest since 1990. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a testament to the quality of a ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ education that enrollment would jump this much in the middle of a pandemic, said Dr. Alex Arceneaux, executive vice president for advancement and enrollment services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven during these unprecedented, challenging times, we received an overwhelming message from our student body and the Bayou Region; they want to be at ÐÓ°É´«Ã½,\u201d Dr. Arceneaux said. \u201cThey trust us to provide the ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Experience \u2013\u00a0top-notch academics and the best student experience in the state \u2013\u00a0in a safe way. We have amazing recruiters, faculty and staff who give it their all to provide the very best for our students.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the third consecutive year of record-breaking retention rates. This Fall, 74.4 percent of first-time freshmen returned for their sophomore year. The national average is 61 percent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ to fulfill its mission to the community, it\u2019s imperative that we educate, retain and graduate our students,\u201d said Dr. Sue Westbrook, provost and vice president for academic affairs. \u201cThis takes the effort of our faculty, academic advisors and support staff, and I am proud of what they have been able to accomplish.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another boon to enrollment was a 15.7 increase to ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Online. In recent years, the program has expanded and is regularly recognized for its quality and affordability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top degree programs are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n