With the economy in the tank and the number of yearly state high school graduates in decline, it's no secret that many college leaders were concerned about their enrollment numbers this fall.

But preliminary figures are looking solid for the state's private institutions.

Rolf Wegenke, president of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities -- 20 private, nonprofit institutions of higher learning in the state -- said estimated enrollment at his colleges is up about 1 percent, to 59,963, from a year ago. That figure marks the largest collective enrollment in the history of WAICU.

"I think there was a lot of uncontrolled speculation about what enrollment would be at private colleges because of the economy," said Wegenke. "But I'm not surprised by these numbers. I'm really not. We've collected enrollment figures back to 1981, and the trend has always been growth."

Between the 1980-81 and 2007-08 school years, total enrollment at WAICU institutions grew by 27,633 students, a jump of 91 percent. As a comparison, federal figures show enrollment at the University of Wisconsin System's four-year schools grew by 14,135, or 10 percent, during that same period.

Marquette University, the largest WAICU institution, saw its enrollment this fall climb by 56 students to 11,689. In Madison, Edgewood College's enrollment is at 2,549, an increase of five students from the end of last year. Beloit College, meanwhile, saw its enrollment dip five students to 1,383. Figures are not yet official because some campuses still are finalizing their numbers after the close of add/drop periods.

Wegenke said a key to the generally solid enrollment numbers this fall is the continued commitment WAICU institutions are making to student financial aid.

"A lot of our members, in recognition of the extraordinarily tough times, have made extra commitments to financial aid," said Wegenke.

Although the average tuition for a state private school is $22,033, Wegenke noted the average financial aid package was 16,797 -- making for an average net tuition of $5,236. Overall, Wegenke said more than 90 percent of full-time undergrads at a WAICU school receive financial aid, with 71 percent of that money coming in the form of grant aid that doesn't have to be repaid.

It will be interesting to see if the state's privates can continue to increase enrollment in the years to come. Not only is the economy showing few signs it will quickly bounce back, but projections by the Applied Population Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison indicate that while more than 71,255 people graduated from state high schools in 2008, that figure is expected to dip to under 62,500 by 2015.

"We need to help people realize higher education is the key to the future," says Wegenke. "If we're ever going to get out of this recession and position the state to succeed in a knowledge-based economy, we need more, not fewer, people going to college. Everyone from President Obama on down has said at least some post-secondary education is essential, and people need to embrace that and not let their fears about college costs run away."

University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly said last month that preliminary data suggests the UW System also is on track to reach a record enrollment of more than 178,000 students across the system's 26 campuses. If that figure holds, it would be an increase of about 3,000 students from last year.

Login to post your comment. If you don't have an account, you may register for one.