Stable overall enrollment, larger student course loads and a continuing trend of more new freshman students committed to full time study portray an encouraging enrollment picture for Purdue University Calumet this fall.
The university’s 9,301 students include 1,000 first-time Purdue Calumet freshmen—up from 954 last fall and 809 during fall 2013. For the third consecutive year, more than 90 percent of new Purdue Calumet freshmen are carrying full course loads with 67 percent enrolled in 15 or more credit hours.
Per credit course load up
Overall, though 200 fewer students are enrolled this fall, the average per credit course load of 2015 enrollees is 10.75, up from last fall’s 10.28.
“Within a market characterized by significantly shrinking enrollments among regional universities in Indiana and beyond, I am encouraged that our enrollment remains steady,” Purdue Calumet Chancellor Thomas L. Keon said. “I also am pleased that a trend of more students carrying full course loads or at least larger course loads has continued, better positioning our students for graduation persistence.”
Greater collaboration credited
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and Student Affairs Carmen Panlilio credits greater collaboration between her staff and academic advisors, faculty members and college deans for connecting with well-prepared prospective students.
“Our academic colleagues have taken a more focused approach to prospective student outreach,” Panlilio said. “Because they have the best insight to do this, they are helping us make decisions about which applicants are prepared to succeed in our programs.”
Purdue Calumet’s Colleges of Business; Engineering, Mathematics and Science; Nursing; and Technology recorded credit hour increases this fall.