USF Sarasota-Manatee fall enrollment hits 7-year high

SARASOTA -- USF Sarasota-Manatee student enrollment surpassed the 2,000 mark for the first time in seven years, partially due to adding freshmen and sophomores on campus two years ago.

Admissions officials say total enrollment for the fall semester has risen by 7 percent, or 135 students, compared with the same period a year ago, for a total 2,038 students. Undergraduate enrollment rose by 4.5 percent, or 79 students, to 1,773. Graduate registrations increased by 4.1 percent, or 56 students, to 175. Another 90 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in non-degree programs or coursework.

"We are very excited about reaching this milestone in our projected enrollment growth," USF Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Sandra Stone said in a statement. "Clearly we are meeting a need for higher education in our service area."

Admissions officials say enrollment levels have escalated for years, but the pace has recently picked up.

"The continued ability to recruit and admit freshmen as well as lower-level transfer students for the past three years has helped tremendously," Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Andrew Telatovich said in a statement. "Our new biology program has also been a factor in the university's growth, along with the interest generated by our Culinary Innovation Lab for our hospitality management program."

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter@MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 1:20 PM with the headline "USF Sarasota-Manatee fall enrollment hits 7-year high."