MADISON, Wis. — Enrollment is up this fall at University of Wisconsin System schools, according to preliminary data.
It showed that for the first time since 2014, enrollment this fall increased compared to the previous year. Overall, new freshman enrollment increased by 3% when excluding UW-Madison.
Total enrollment for fall of 2023 was 161,322, early estimates show. That’s up 540 students from fall 2022. New freshman enrollment went up by 592.
“This is a great sign for all of Wisconsin because freshman enrollment is a leading indicator of future enrollment,” said UW System President Jay Rothman in a press release.
UW-Madison was excluded from the freshman numbers because the university “deliberately sought to reduce the number of incoming first-year students” this year, according to UW officials. That’s because last year, freshman enrollment was slightly larger than anticipated for Madison.
Five universities in the system showed overall increases including, UW-Madison, UW-Green Bay, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater. Most of the branch campuses showed lower enrollment for fall 2023 compared to the previous year.
However, several did show an increase: UW-Green Bay Manitowoc, UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County and UW-Whitewater Rock County.
Officials said the enrollment estimates are based on ”first-day registration figures and projections of other new students.” The final figures for enrollment will differ slightly, as they are based on the 10th day of classes; these are the numbers that will be officially reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
The UW System serves about 161,000 students. About 90% of those who are in-state graduates end up staying in Wisconsin five years after earning their degree, according to UW System data.
“Wisconsin is in a war for talent and our universities play a key role to help build the vibrant future we all want here,” said Rothman in a press release.
“We are the state’s largest talent generator, and our universities in every part of the state will continue to focus on student success,” he added.