Total enrollment in the UW System is increasing, according to fall 2024 data

article

MADISON, Wis. – Overall enrollment at Wisconsin Universities’ four-year schools increased this fall compared to last year, according to data released Tuesday.

The system released enrollment numbers as of the 10th day of the fall 2024 semester. They show that total enrollment was 164,431 students, an increase of 1.2% from the 10th day of the fall 2023 semester.

SIGN UP TODAY: Receive daily headlines and breaking news emails from FOX6 News

UW-Green Bay saw 975 new students and a 10.5% increase in enrollment, the largest percentage increase among the 13 four-year schools. Enrollment at UW-Madison, the system’s flagship university, rose nearly 3%. UW-Superior, the most remote campus, in Douglas County in far northwestern Wisconsin, saw a 3.6% increase.

Five schools saw their enrollment shrink, including Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Parkside, Platteville and Stout.

Total enrollment at the system’s two-year branch campuses fell 22%. The most dramatic decline occurred at UW-Stevens Point’s Marshfield campus, where enrollment fell nearly 45% compared to fall 2023.

UW officials have blamed declining numbers of high school graduates and increasing numbers of graduates avoiding college for the workforce for faltering enrollment.