22 Sep NDSU sees increase in first-year students
NDSU’s fall enrollment includes a freshman class of 2,307, four percent higher than last year’s first-year class of 2,218. Overall, enrollment is 12,846. Last year’s overall enrollment was 13,173.
“We are pleased with the increase in first-year student enrollment,” said Laura Oster-Aaland, NDSU vice provost for student affairs and enrollment management. “It is evidence that our new mobile-friendly application and waiver of the application fee were successful in reducing barriers for students.”
The academic profile of first-year students remains strong with an average ACT score of 24 and 60 percent of NDSU students holding a high school GPA of 3.5 or above. About 10 percent of NDSU students come in with a 4.0 high school GPA.
The number of graduates per year has increased 30.3 percent since spring 2011 (2,356 students graduated in 2010; 3,187 students graduated in 2020).
The first-to-second year retention rate is the highest it has ever been at 82 percent, up from 78.9 percent last year.
Application for fall 2021 is now open, and NDSU has waived the ACT requirement to improve access and accommodate students who may not be able to take the test due to testing site locations being limited.
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