We believe much of the decrease can be attributed to a relatively strong economy that has resulted in more job opportunities for those who have just received bachelor degrees.
New graduates are less likely to go on to graduate school if they can find jobs.
Undergraduate enrollment is 20,208, a half percent drop from last year's 20,312. However, enrollment of new undergraduates direct from Iowa high schools increased by 100 students, or 4 percent. Our emphasis this year will continue to be to help those new freshmen and indeed, all of our students, stay in school until they receive their degrees. Seventy-one percent of ISU students this fall are Iowa residents. That's the same percentage as last fall.