Iowa State Enrollment Down 1 Percent

by Diana Pounds
Fall enrollment at Iowa State University is 
24,431, a 1 percent drop from last year's enrollment of 
24,728.

"Most of the decrease came in graduate enrollment, which 
dropped by nearly 200 students to 4,223," said Tom Thielen, 
vice president for student affairs. "We believe much of the 
decrease can be attributed to a relatively strong economy 
that has resulted in more job opportunities for those who 
have just received bachelor degrees. New graduates are less 
likely to go on to graduate school if they can find jobs."

Undergraduate enrollment is 20,208, a half percent drop from 
last year's 20,312. However, enrollment of new undergraduates 
direct from Iowa high schools increased by 100 students, or 4 
percent.

"Iowa State continues to be the top choice for the state's 
high school graduates," Thielen said. "Our emphasis this year 
will continue to be to help those new freshmen and indeed, 
all of our students, stay in school until they receive their 
degrees."

Seventy-one percent of ISU students this fall are Iowa 
residents. That's the same percentage as last fall.

Iowa State enrolled 1,625 minority students (African 
Americans, Asians or Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and 
American Indians or Alaskan Natives) this fall. Those 
students make up 6.7 percent of the student body. Last fall, 
6.9 percent of the student body were minority students.

As was the case last year, one in 10 ISU students is an 
international student. Female students make up nearly 43 
percent of the student body.


            ISU Fall Enrollment For 1995 and 1994

                           UNDERGRAD               GRADUATE 

                        1994        1995        1994      1995   
                                                        
Agriculture            2,594       2,654         627       591 

Business               2,593       2,631         228       213 

Design                 1,735       1,634         147       136 

Education              1,648       1,648         451       442 

Engineering            4,260       4,164         772       744 

F&CS                   1,105       1,123         226       219 

LAS                    5,989       5,949       1,301     1,240 

Interdepartmental or                             546       526 

undeclared, (grad stdnts)
Vet Med                  388         405          118      112 


TOTAL                 20,312      20,208        4,416     4,223
4,223
Difference	            (104)                     (193)

University Total      1994 = 24,728
                      1995 = 24,431
Difference                      297

_____
contact:  Diana Pounds, Internal Communications, (515) 294-
4845
updated:  9-8-95