Campus News
Westminster Breaks Enrollment Records for 6th Consecutive Year
Total enrollment has grown more than 30 percent since 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 24, 2010
SALT LAKE CITY– Tomorrow marks another historic year for Westminster College as it not only welcomes its largest freshman class, but hails its largest total enrollment. About 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students will attend Westminster this semester, more than 530 of whom will begin classes as part of the Class of 2014.
Since 2004, enrollment at the private, comprehensive liberal arts college has grown more than 30 percent, due in part to the substantial increase in academic, athletic and international partnership programs.
“Six years ago Westminster developed a 10-year strategic plan to help guide the college’s direction for the decade,” said Michael Bassis, Westminster College president. “That plan has been our roadmap to success, and has included the addition of distinctive academic programs like our undergraduate and graduate degree programs in public health and project-based business programs, the addition of athletic programs such as lacrosse, skiing and snowboarding, and track to name a few. World-class facilities, such as our new Meldrum Science Center, have also contributed to increased interest in the college, which we are very pleased about.”
Forty-five percent of this year’s freshman class are from out of state -- a marked increase from just a five years ago when only 19 percent were from out of state and 81 percent were native Utahans. At the same time, the school has nearly doubled the number of freshmen who are U.S. students of color and/or international students.
In terms of pure academic accomplishment, the freshman class possesses an average high school grade point average of 3.51, well above the national average for high school seniors. The Westminster College Class of 2014 also includes:
Valedictorians 19
National Hispanic Scholars 17
National Merit Finalists 10
Sterling Scholar Regional Winners 8
Sterling Scholar Regional 1
Exemplary Achievement Scholars 6
Some additional statistics include:
2010 Freshman Profile
225 or 43% are male
306 or 57% are female
About 22% of the entering class is either a U.S. student of color or an international student:
92 (18.5%) are U.S. students of color (excludes international)*
20 (4%) are international/non-resident
*percentages calculation excludes blanks and non-reporters of ethnicity.
Financial Aid Awarded
97% of incoming freshman class received a financial aid award
Average financial aid award $21,035
(Funding received from all sources - scholarship, work, federal loans, and grants)
About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC on Twitter.
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