By CSC COLLEGE RELATIONS
CHADRON – Thanks to what is perceived as the largest incoming class of transfer students in school history, Chadron State College’s enrollment increased based on figures compiled by the Nebraska State College System (NSCS) on the 10th day of classes.
As of Sept. 2, Chadron State College’s headcount was 2,317, an increase of 59 students (2.6 percent) from the previous year. Additionally, CSC’s total full-time equivalency improved to 1,802, an increase of 61 full time students from 2021 (3.48 percent).
Contributing to the college’s positive growth was 219 new transfer students and a preliminary retention rate of the Fall 2021 full-time freshman class of nearly 73 percent.
“The growth of our transfer student population and our overall enrollment is encouraging,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Tami Selby. “Enrollment is not just counting the incoming new students, but also making sure we keep the students we have enrolled. Our high retention rate is a direct result of faculty efforts and initiatives that show students CSC is a wonderful place to live and learn.”
In 2021, CSC’s incoming transfer class consisted of 149 students, which was 18 percent higher than 2020’s class. Although CSC’s freshman and graduate incoming classes weren’t as large as they were last year, Selby is hopeful the second 8-week class sessions will entice students.
“Although the fall semester officially began in August, the Enrollment Management team hasn’t stopped working with students who are still thinking about college, and our recruiters are talking to students every day,” she said. “The second 8-week classes provide a great opportunity for students and we expect more to enroll as we get closer to October.”
While the increase in overall enrollment is good news, Selby and her staff are pleased the college’s student body continues to become more diverse. Twenty percent of all students identify as a student of color, an increase of almost two percent from 2021. The diversity of the freshmen and transfer cohorts also show positive growth and are more diverse than the entire student body. This year, nearly 26 percent of the incoming freshmen and transfers identify as a student of color. In addition, CSC has 21 international students enrolled.
As a system, the NSCS, which is comprised of Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State Colleges, continues to see overall growth in enrollment. As of Sept. 2, the NSCS had an overall increase in headcount of 0.2 percent. According to the NSCS, the State Colleges have increased enrollment by 6.3 percent since 2018.