Baylor Releases Spring Enrollment Report

Baylor University has enrolled a total of 13,664 students for the spring 2009 semester, with an improved retention rate for all undergraduates, according to official 12th-day enrollment statistics compiled by the Office of Institutional Research and Testing (IRT).

Baylor continues an upward trend in January through May enrollment, with the university enrolling 375 more students than last spring, the fifth consecutive year that Baylor has seen an increase in spring enrollment. The university enrolled 13,289 students for the spring 2008 semester; 13,169 students in spring 2007; 13,019 students in spring 2006; and 12,715 students in spring 2005.

The spring semester's enrollment consists of 11,366 undergraduates; 2,103 students in graduate/professional programs (Graduate School, Truett Seminary, Baylor Law School and School of Social Work); and 195 students enrolled in Baylor/U.S. Army affiliated degree programs.

According to IRT statistics, the retention rate for all undergraduates from fall 2008 to spring 2009 increased to 95.2 percent, compared to a 94.9 percent retention rate from fall 2007 to spring 2008. The retention rate for first-time freshmen from fall 2008 to spring 2009 fell slightly to 94.5 percent, compared to 95.1 percent for the same period last year.

"In light of the current economy, we are very pleased to have enrolled more undergraduate students this year over last spring," said Diana Ramey, assistant vice president for enrollment management at Baylor. "The strength of our enrollments testifies to the perceived value among students and their families of a Baylor university education and degree. At the same time, we continue to work diligently across the university to improve our retention rates and student success through a variety of new and on-going programs. For example, one of the first things we plan to do this semester is to survey those who did not return and to utilize the information we gather to inform future retention efforts."