Continuing a 10-year trend, total enrollment of Hispanic students at The University of Texas at Austin increased slightly this fall to a record high of 8,975, or 17.5 percent of the student population, according to a preliminary report issued by the university.
The report is based on student enrollment after the 12th class day. Final enrollment figures will be available in October, but there usually is little variation from the preliminary figures, says Kristi D. Fisher, associate vice provost and director of the Office of Information Management and Analysis.
Total Hispanic enrollment has increased steadily from 12.0 percent in 2001, reflecting the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence through a diversity of people, ideas and perspectives.
“The University of Texas at Austin values the richness of thought, debate and learning that is found in a diverse student environment,” says Vice Provost and Director of Admissions Kedra Ishop. “We have implemented a number of programs through the years, such as expanded regional recruitment centers and focused recruitment initiatives, to attract the broadest and most diverse range of talent in the state of Texas and beyond.”
Among first-time incoming freshmen enrolled at the university, the percentage of Hispanic students dropped from 23.1 percent to 21.0 percent this year. University officials attribute that drop to the poor economy and fewer grants and scholarships that are available for lower income students.
The report uses federally mandated ethnic and race reporting categories, which allow students and employees to specify more than one race/ethnicity in identifying themselves.
Total enrollment at The University of Texas at Austin for the 2011 fall semester decreased slightly to 51,145 students, 50 fewer than last year, with 7,150 first time freshmen, down 125 from last year. Other key findings include:
- In fall semester 2011, four-year graduation rates increased to 50.9 percent from 50.6 percent; five-year graduation rates decreased to 74.2 percent from 76.5 percent; six-year graduation rates increased to 80.8 percent from 80.1 percent.
- 74 percent of the enrolled freshmen who came from Texas high schools were admitted under Senate Bill 175 (the modified Top 10 Percent Law). 66 percent of all first time freshmen (both in-state and out-of-state) were automatically admitted under SB 175.
- The average ACT score for the entering freshmen was 28 and the average SAT composite score was 1844.
- At least 23.7 percent of all first-time freshmen were first-generation matriculates.
- There are 38,463 undergraduates, 11,504 graduate students and 1,178 law students enrolled.
The report suggests only minor variations in the ethnic/racial distribution of the total fall 2011 enrollment, with 51.0 percent of students (26,108) identifying as white only, down from 52.1 percent last year. The percentage of black students and foreign students remained the same as 2010, at 4.5 percent and 9.1 percent respectively. Women represent 50.4 percent of the student population, slightly lower than the previous fall semester.
