This year's freshman class size exceeded only by last year's

The UA is housing the largest enrollment ever, with 35,847 graduate and undergraduate students ÷ exceeding the previous record by 171 students.

The bulge was anticipated. Last year's record-breaking freshman class of 5,949 and this year's 5,808 freshman class coming in as the second-largest ever.

This is the highest enrollment in the history of the university and highest undergraduate enrollment, said Rick Kroc, director of assessment and enrollment research.

With a new record of 28,278 undergraduates, undergraduate enrollment increased by 746 students, according to statistics collected by the Office of Assessment and Enrollment Research. State demographics may be the cause of this rapid increase.

"We're the fastest-growing state. We're also a high-quality institution with high-quality education and low tuition," Kroc said.

Administrators had to put a cap on the number of non-residents admitted to the UA this year, because the school is over the policy guideline of 25 percent out-of-state students enforced by the Arizona Board of Regents.

But in light of a $16.6 million budget crunch that hit the UA last year, Kroc said it's a difficulty to refuse out-of-state tuition.

Up 1 percent from last year, more than 70 percent of students are in-state residents. Sixty-five percent of new freshmen are Arizona residents, which is an increase of 3 percent from last year.

Undergraduate enrollment isn't the only area where the number of UA students is increasing. Graduate enrollment is up to 8,569 from 8,215 in 2001.

"We've noticed that in the past, when the economy goes down, graduate enrollment goes up," Kroc said. "Some employees may be out of work and may be coming back for another degree. Some may be unsatisfied with what is happening in the workplace and going back for a master's degree."

Minority enrollment has also increased 63 percent from 1989.

Hispanic enrollment is up from last year's 4,668 to 4,855. Black student enrollment climbed from 922 in 2001 to 985.

But these climbs in population have come during a trying time for the UA amidst budget reductions.

This has raised concerns that with such a large increase in student enrollment, the UA may not be able to provide for all the students.

"It's not going to be easy to provide the level of service provided this fall if we continue to have difficulties with our funding," Kroc said.

He countered, however, that spring class availability and graduation rates should not be affected.

The number of students graduating in four years held steady at 29 percent for the past two years.