UW First

First-day enrollment for the fall 2014 semester at the University of Wyoming was 12,713 -- up nearly 100 students, or .8 percent, from the first day of fall 2013 classes.

A decline in UW Outreach School enrollment of 79 students, or 3.3 percent, from fall 2013 was offset by a 1.7 percent increase, or 174 students, on the Laramie campus, according to preliminary numbers from UW’s Office of Institutional Analysis.

“There had been some indications that overall enrollment would be down by as much as 2 percent, so we’re delighted that there actually is an increase,” says Vice President for Student Affairs Sara Axelson. “Late enrollments exceeded our expectations, and we couldn’t be happier about that. There has been a concerted effort to attract and enroll students.”

Axelson emphasizes that the first-day numbers are certain to change. For example, last fall’s first-day head count of 12,618 rose to 12,928 by the 15th day of classes -- considered a more accurate indicator because it falls after the class drop/add deadlines, and after the first tuition and fee payment is due.

Final fall 2013 enrollment was 13,638, after all Outreach School enrollments were recorded by the end of the semester. Final fall 2014 enrollment should be close to that number, Axelson says.

Further details about UW enrollment, including a variety of demographic breakdowns, will be available after the 15-day report.