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Preliminary fall enrollment numbers released last week show the University of �޻���ֱ�� System retains its position as the largest system in the state, with 88,752 students enrolled at its nine universities.

The National Center for Education Statistics shows the UL System is among the top 20 largest systems in the country. They range in enrollment from 87,000 to over 435,000.

“We are proud of the uniqueness of our system with nine distinct universities that, when combined, enroll almost half of all public higher education students and generate most of the degrees,” said UL System President Sandra K. Woodley.

“However, we know this is not enough, and we have to strategically increase enrollment and degree production to fuel the projected growth in �޻���ֱ��’s economy.  This is particularly crucial in high-demand fields such as computer science and information systems, business, engineering, and healthcare."

This fall in the UL System, three universities, including UL Lafayette, saw enrollment increases, with overall system enrollment down less than 1 percent.  Statewide, total public postsecondary enrollment dropped 1.37 percent, with almost 3,000 fewer students than Fall 2013. 

Total enrollment at UL Lafayette this semester, at 18,796 students, is the highest in the school’s history.

Total enrollment for the Fall 2014 semester includes a number of students in professional programs and credit-bearing continuing education courses. It represents an increase of more than 3 percent over last fall, when 18,235 students enrolled.

Degree-seeking enrollment numbers also are up by more than 3 percent, with 17,195 students this semester, or 549 more than the 16,646 who enrolled for the Fall 2013 semester.