Largest Freshman Class, Most Diverse University Ever; Computer and Business Majors Up

DePaul University’s enrollment grew this fall to 18,565 students, the largest enrollment in the university’s 100-year history and a 4.3 percent increase over last fall.

Several trends are evident in the enrollment growth. The freshman class is the largest in DePaul’s history and the university has become more racially diverse than ever before. Enrollment in computer technology programs has increased significantly and more students are pursuing business degrees. Overall enrollment in classes held on suburban campuses continues to grow.

"DePaul exceeded its enrollment goals because of the university’s commitments to academic quality, outstanding facilities, convenient campus locations and top-flight student services," said David Kalsbeek, vice president for enrollment management. "The growing number, quality and diversity of students enrolling during this our centennial year reflects the well-regarded reputation and value of a DePaul education and the vitality of the Chicago region."

Here are the details on the enrollment trends at DePaul, the second largest Catholic university in the country:

Freshman Class and Minority Enrollment Break Records

DePaul’s freshman class of 1,482 students is the largest in the university’s history, breaking the previous record of 1,265 set in 1995. The freshmen class of 2002 is also the most diverse in university history, with minority students representing 32 percent of the class. Overall, the enrollment of minority students at DePaul reached an all-time high of 5,625 this fall, or 30 percent of the total student body.

Among freshmen, DePaul increased enrollments in all three of the largest minority populations: African-American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific.

The gain was strongest among African-American freshmen, who numbered 132 this fall compared to 74 a year ago. Their percentage of the class rose from six percent last year to about nine percent this year.

Enrollment among Asian/Pacific students increased from 105 last year to 138 this fall, an increase of 31 percent. As a percentage of the class, this group grew from 8.5 percent to 9.3 percent, the highest Asian/Pacific freshmen enrollment at DePaul.

Hispanic enrollment in the freshman class increased 4 percent, from 172 last year to 179. While this growth was more moderate compared to other groups, the total number of Hispanic freshmen is the largest in the university’s history and comprises 12 percent of the freshman class, making it the largest minority group in the class.

"As the community, region and nation become more racially and ethnically diverse, DePaul is deliberately and successfully ensuring that its student population reflects this diversity," Kalsbeek said.

The freshman class is nearly 59 percent female, about the same as last year. Students in the class come from 41 of the 50 states. Freshman enrollments in the College of Commerce (up 36 percent) and Liberal Arts & Sciences (up 24 percent) represented the biggest gains. More than 800 freshman (55 percent of the class) are living in campus housing this fall, up 6 percent.

University wide, students transferring from other area institutions to DePaul topped 1,200 this year, an increase of about 5 percent compared to last fall.