Final count shows Trine has another record year

Trine University once again experienced a record year of fall enrollment, according to final headcount figures released this week.

Included in those numbers were the university’s largest freshman class ever, which showed gains academically over the freshman class in the fall of 2016.

“It’s encouraging as Trine University’s enrollment continues to grow that we are attracting a higher quality student,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president. “More students at the top of their class are recognizing the benefits of the personalized, career-focused education offered here at Trine.”

The university has 5,184 total students enrolled at its main campus, education centers and global partnership campuses, up from 4,998 in fall 2016. It is the fourth straight year of record enrollment for Trine, which has been recognized as the fastest-growing private university in the state by the Independent Colleges of Indiana.

Trine experienced a surge in enrollment on its main campus, which has 4,312 students enrolled this fall, up more than 15 percent from 3,730 enrolled last year. Besides the freshman class of 602, which was more than 30 percent larger than last year’s freshman class of 461, the university saw the number of dual enrollment students jump to 2,158 from 1,587 in fall 2016.

Compared to 2016, this fall’s Incoming freshman class boasted a higher average combined SAT score, higher average composite ACT score and higher percentage in the top sections of their graduating class, with more than 23 percent of Trine freshmen coming from the top 10 percent of their high school class. Among incoming engineering students, that number jumped to more than 34 percent.

Incoming freshmen earned an average high school grade point average of 3.53, up from 3.45 last year.

“We are excited about the continued growth numerically and academically in the incoming freshman at Trine University, and we look forward to continuing this trend in future years,” said Scott Goplin, vice president for enrollment management.

The university also continued to retain more students, with 80.3 percent of students from last year’s freshman class returning this fall, a 4 percent increase from last year. Trine’s freshman retention rate is above the national average of 73 percent for private colleges with traditional enrollment standards.

In order to meet the increased housing needs resulting from the growth in the student population, the Trine University board of trustees has approved a more-than-170-bed residence hall to be located next to the Larry and Judy Reiners Residence Hall. The new residence hall is expected to open in August 2018.