DENTON (UNT), Texas ¾  University of North Texas enrollment reached another all-time high of 34,795 students -- an increase of 1.5 percent, or 527 students -- according to the unofficial headcount on the 2008 Fall census date (12th class day). This is the eighth consecutive year UNT has posted a new all-time high enrollment. The university's enrollment surpassed 30,000 students for the first time in 2002.

Hispanic enrollment is 12 percent of the UNT student population and black enrollment is 12.8 percent of the total population. Notably Hispanic enrollment increased 8.7 percent and Asian enrollment climbed 6.6 percent.

Among other important gains in enrollment for Fall 2008, new transfer student enrollment rose 5.2 percent and international student enrollment rose 10.7 percent.

"Enrollment increases are important because Texas needs a strong, well-educated work force. UNT is committed to ensuring that each student earns a degree because the point of going to college is to graduate, not simply to enroll," UNT President Gretchen M. Bataille said. "We are making a concerted effort to educate our students about the benefits of graduating on time, in four years when possible.”

The increased numbers of minority students are significant for UNT to continue to be among the leaders in Texas in the state’s Closing The Gaps effort, which is designed to help ensure the Texas work force keeps pace with the demands of our economy.  Another major indicator is UNT’s increase in the number of graduates year to year. UNT’s graduating student numbers increased by 5 percent over last year.

To underscore its commitment to supporting first-generation students, students from underrepresented populations and students from low-income families, Bataille recently signed the College Board’s CollegeKeys Compact. UNT was the first college or university in the Dallas-Fort Worth region to sign the compact.

"UNT has long been committed to ensuring a higher education is available to every bright student who wants to work to earn one," Bataille said. "Joining the CollegeKeys compact is simply another way that we will be able to keep top-quality higher education within reach of all students."

On-site Fall 2008 enrollment at the UNT Dallas Campus reached a record headcount of 2,210 students for the Fall 2008 semester, according to unofficial census figures. That figure represents an 18 percent increase over the 12th class day headcount of 1,874 in Fall 2007. 

Most important for the campus is its increase in full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment. The campus reached 957 full-time equivalents, an 18 percent increase over the fall 2007 figure of 814. 

Under Texas state law, the UNT Dallas Campus can become a free-standing, four-year university when student full-time equivalent enrollment reaches 1,000. Reaching that milestone would release additional state funding for further development of the campus, but university officials say the campus’ rapid growth means the money will be needed sooner.

Until the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board verifies enrollment numbers and makes them official later in the fall, all enrollment statistics are unofficial, 12th class day numbers.

The University of North Texas is a student-centered public research university and the flagship of the UNT System. One of Texas' largest universities, UNT offers 99 bachelor's, 104 master's and 49 doctoral degree programs, many nationally and internationally recognized. UNT is the choice of 34,795 students. Discover the power of ideas.