UNT is state's third largest in undergraduate enrollment and in degrees awarded

From a UNT News Service press release

Troy Johnson

Newly released figures from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board show that UNT is the third largest university in Texas in three key areas – undergraduate student enrollment, undergraduate degrees awarded and graduate degrees awarded.

Official figures from fall 2007 show that UNT had 27,242 undergraduate students - coming out ahead of the University of Houston by 747 students. UNT's undergraduate enrollment has gone up nearly 10 percent since fall 2004.

UNT also is third in the state for fiscal year 2007 undergraduate degrees awarded (4,863) and masters degrees awarded (1,329).

Other key findings from the THECB report:

• UNT is on track to meet the coordinating board's "Closing the Gaps" headcount targets. That initiative aims to enroll 630,000 new higher education students across Texas by 2015.
• The growth rate for degrees earned continues to climb, particularly among African American and Hispanic students. There was a nearly 20 percent increase in UNT degrees earned by African Americans from fiscal year 2000 to 2007, and a more than 48 percent increase in degrees earned by Hispanic students from the same time period.
• UNT has demonstrated significant improvement in its student persistence rates, particularly among Hispanic students. From fall 2000 to fall 2006 (the last year that numbers are available in this category), there was a 5 percent increase in the first-time undergraduate student persistence rate after one year for Hispanics.

"It's important for universities like UNT to contribute to 'Closing the Gaps' goals that would bring Texas in better standing with other states," says Troy Johnson, associate vice president for enrollment management. "To have both growth in enrollment and in student graduation rates is particularly gratifying for the faculty and staff of UNT."

UNT News Service Press Release
Rafael McDonnell may be reached at RMcDonnell@unt.edu.

Read other stories in this issue:

• President's Note
• Moving Forward: Research grants increase at UNT
• UNT's endowment ranks 29th in growth
• Foundation donates $500,000
• UNT now Texas' third largest university in key areas
• Faculty Focus: Ian Parberry
• UNT Traditions: Encounters
• Featured Link: Immersed in Indian life
• Visit the Exes' online calendar