Published September 12, 2014
Officials at the University of Louisiana at Monroe released enrollment figures for
Fall 2014. With the strongest ever freshman class of 1,314 students, ULM’s total enrollment
comes in at 8,527.
“ULM has received a number of national recognitions, which have validated our strengths
to students beyond our region,” said Lisa Miller, assistant vice president for enrollment
management. “ULM’s enhanced visibility has attracted high achieving high ability students
from across the nation.”
ULM has strategically focused on recruiting academically exceptional students and
increasing its number of full-time students. All of this has been accomplished while
implementing yearly increases in admissions standards. Approximately 500 freshman
applications were not accepted due to those standards.
Because of the new focus on student success, ULM is thriving in every academic category.
The 2014 freshman class:
• Has the highest- ever number of Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) eligible
students, with 82 percent of the class receiving funding—a 10 percent increase from
2013
• Has the highest-ever average score of 23 on the American College Test (ACT)
• Has the highest-ever number of students with a 4.0 high school grade point average
(GPA)
• Has the highest-ever number of students with a score of 30 or higher on the ACT
These statistics play into ULM’s overall plan to see that every student who enrolls
progresses to graduation. Freshman retention, graduation rate, and transfer student
enrollment are the highest ULM has ever seen.
“Our strategy for recruitment is consistent with our mission to seek students who
find value in our programs,” said ULM President Dr. Nick J. Bruno. “Our goal is ensure
that we are preparing those students to compete, succeed, and contribute by giving
them a transformative education.”
Another successful area of focus has been the international student population. The
international cohort has again increased with total enrollment of 277 students.
ULM’s new Liew Family International Student Center, funded by Eric and Linda Liew,
will help see that number continue to grow with its ability to support incoming international
students as they begin their educational journey in the United States. ULM’s out of
state population has also increased with 748 students this fall.
“All of these increases are a direct result of the support from the community, our
faculty, staff, and current students who have worked tirelessly to promote the amazing
things that are happening at ULM,” said Miller.
Miller is confident that the university is headed in the right direction although
total enrollment decreased slightly.
Overall, ULM saw around a 1.5 percent decline from the fall 2013 student count due
largely in part to a drop in part-time students and graduate students, who typically
pursue two-year degrees.
