Student retention rates up this spring

Baylor released its spring 2008 enrollment numbers Monday, and student retention rates are up across all undergraduate groups. According to the University, the retention rate for all undergraduates increased to 94.9% this spring; last spring saw 94.6% of students returning. Retention rates were also up among first-time freshmen, provisionally admitted students, and transfers.

For the fourth straight year, enrollment is up compared to the previous spring. This spring’s enrollment of 13,289 undergraduate and graduate students is up 120 over a year ago, 276 versus two years ago, and up 574 compared to three years back.

In the press release, Diana Ramey, assistant VP for enrollment management, pointed to the strong academic profile of this year’s freshman class and the opening of the Paul L. Foster Success Center as important factors in the increased retention rates. Both factors are important parts of Baylor 2012’s Imperative IV: “to attract and support a top-tier student body,” and these retention numbers show Baylor’s progress toward that goal.

Sic ’em, returning students!