During the last four years, the University of Idaho has seen student enrollment grow for eight consecutive semesters. This spring, record-breaking numbers have been set across many student populations.
Overall enrollment is up 4.2% and stands at 11,886 students, the largest spring enrollment in the history of UI, according to a press release from Executive Director of Communications Jodi Walker.
Dean Kahler, Vice Provost for Student Enrollment Management, explained that the university has worked hard for this growth.
“UI has been working very deliberately to build enrollment in almost every category,” Kahler said. “Strategies include, but are not limited to, strong targeted enrollment marketing and recruitment efforts in diverse markets that include WUE, non-resident, Idaho markets and international markets.”
One of the most prominent groups that has seen a boom in enrollment has been the international student population, which has experienced a 23.4% increase since last spring.
Full-time undergraduate enrollment is 7,123, which is a 4.6% growth from spring 2024’s enrollment of 6,807. Undergraduate enrollment as a whole is currently 9,847.
The total graduate student enrollment sits at 1,947. Additionally, doctoral student enrollment is at 583, up 8.4% since last spring semester.
Although international student rates have seen the most dramatic changes, the Idaho resident undergraduate population has grown 5.1%, while non-resident undergraduate student enrollment is up 12%.
The news release explained that the recent Carnegie R1 research classification the university has achieved will only continue to increase enrollment rates. As the only university to achieve the status in Idaho, it will draw many more potential students.
Kahler believes that with the work that’s being done to foster the Vandal community and promote the university, enrollment will continue to rise in the coming semesters.
“We will do our best to maintain a strong enrollment profile. The enrollment demographics in the nation have caused our competition to intensify dramatically,” Kahler continued. “I believe the University of Idaho is in a good position to continue to be successful in our enrollment management efforts.”
Paige Wilton can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu.