West campus news Releases Archive

ASU freshman class sets records for scholars, diversity, size

Sep. 27, 2005

The freshman class at Arizona State University this fall is the largest, most accomplished and most diverse in history. A record 8,467 first-time freshmen from all 50 states and 35 countries are enrolled at ASU, almost 10 percent higher than last fall and double the number from 1995.

ASU has 155 new National Merit Scholars, bringing the total number of National Merit Scholars enrolled to 532 and making ASU one of the leading schools in the country in attracting these top-ranked high school graduates.

Nearly three of 10 freshmen (28 percent) ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class. This group comprises 1,732 students, larger than the entire freshman class at Princeton or Yale.

ASU also attracted 72 National Hispanic Scholars, the most ever. More than 30 percent of freshmen from Arizona are minority students, and a record 26 percent of the total freshman class are ethnic minorities, almost 400 more than last fall.

Setting another record, 10 Flinn Scholars chose ASU. This elite group of high achieving Arizona students is selected in an extremely competitive process by the Flinn Foundation their senior year in high school. Arizona freshmen also include 1,566 President’s and Provost’s Scholars, who are in the top 5 percent of their class.

In addition to welcoming 4,252 new transfer students, ASU has recruited top high school students from around the country and provided more freshman support services. The effort has paid off by moving the entire student body to a higher level, while providing more need-based financial aid as well as scholarships.

“The hallmark of the New American University is its emphasis on access and quality,” says ASU President Michael Crow. “Enrolling what may be the single largest freshman class in the country is proof that ASU must continue expanding its student capacity to meet the growing needs of the state.

“The academic credentials of our incoming class also are an indication that ASU is beginning to be recognized nationally as a university that provides a high quality education.”

Enrollment at ASU this fall has reached a record 61,033 students, 5 percent higher than last year’s 58,156. ASU experienced a 10 percent bump in non-resident enrollment, despite an increase in non-resident tuition.

Freshmen enrollment at ASU’s West campus in northwest Phoenix is up almost 25 percent this fall, with a total campus enrollment increase of 5 percent to 7,734. Formerly an upper-division site, the campus began enrolling freshmen only four years ago and now has 1,588 freshmen and sophomores.

“The West campus is positioned for rapid growth,” said Michael Awender, vice provost of academic affairs. “With two new undergraduate programs this fall, one in applied computing and the other in ethnicity, race and first nations studies, and several others planned at undergraduate and graduate levels, we will have more choices to attract students to ASU in the years to come.”

The Polytechnic campus in Mesa grew to 4,865 from 3,983 last year, reflecting an increase at every class level, with a 50 percent surge in freshmen. The physical education program moved from the Tempe campus, and Polytechnic began offering an increased number of lower-division and online courses, plus bachelor’s degree programs in engineering and real estate and a doctorate in physical activity, nutrition and wellness.

The Tempe campus grew 5 percent, to 51,612. More students than ever before are enrolled full-time, continuing a trend that has grown for several years.

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