Record enrollments tallied for Maine higher education

BANGOR – The state’s higher education institutions are experiencing record enrollments this fall, according to figures released Wednesday.

In its first full academic year with a new name and expanded mission, the Maine Community College System has an unprecedented 11,395 students this fall, a 14 percent jump over last year.

MCCS also boasts a 35 percent increase in the number of students coming directly from high school, due largely to the recent name change to community college, according to officials.

“This is exactly what we had hoped for and is excellent news for Maine,” said President John Fitzsimmons. “It just shows the potential of our community college system to open the doors of college to those who hadn’t thought college possible.”

Enrollment at the state’s seven public universities has reached a record high of 34,752 students, according to preliminary numbers.

Total University of Maine System enrollment has increased by 663 students since last September and by 1,797 since September 2001. Since 1997, enrollment has increased by 4,734 students.

“Maine’s public universities are being recognized for the quality, access, value and opportunities that can be found right here in Maine,” said UMS Chancellor Joseph Westphal.

The highest combinations of full- and part-time students are enrolled at the University of Maine in Orono with 11,350 students and the University of Southern Maine with 11,300 students. The University of Maine at Augusta has 5,893 students; University of Maine at Farmington, 2,392; University of Maine at Presque Isle, 1,582; University of Maine at Machias, 1,338; and University of Maine at Fort Kent, 897.