Fall 2010 enrollment reaches all-time record high of 60,231

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Kristen Bonilla, (808) 956-5039
Public Information Officer, External Affairs and University Relations
Kymber-Lee Char, (808) 956-9437
Public Information Officer, External Affairs and University Relations
Posted: Sep 23, 2010

HONOLULU – The fall 2010 opening enrollment for the University of Hawai‘i System reached an unprecedented 60,231, the highest in the institution’s history. It surpasses fall 2009’s record enrollment of 58,157 by 3.6 percent. For the third year in a row, UH’s fall opening enrollment has experienced an increase after remaining at 50,000 for five years.
 
"Our record high enrollment is a sign that people understand that higher education is a good investment, especially as the state begins to recover from difficult economic times and a tight job market remains,” said UH Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy Linda Johnsrud. “Increasing the number of educated citizens in Hawai‘i is at the top of our agenda for public higher education and we will continue to do all we can to meet the needs of our students and ensure they graduate prepared for the workforce.”
 
Enrollment at UH Hilo, UH West O‘ahu and the UH Community Colleges have all increased from a year ago, while UH Mānoa experienced a minimal decrease. UH Mānoa enrollment stands at 20,137, which is 223 fewer students, or 1.1 percent fewer students as compared to last year.
 
UH West O‘ahu enrolled its fourth freshman class and increased enrollment to 1,494 students, with a gain of 139 students or 10.3 percent, relative to a year ago. At UH Hilo, enrollment increased to 4,085, with a gain of 89 students, or 2.2 percent, over the previous year. The UH Community Colleges enrollment also peaked at 34,515, with an increase of 2,069 students, or 6.4 percent above last fall.
 
“Community college programs continue to be in high demand throughout the state, and the community colleges have now grown by almost 40 percent over the last four years,” said UH Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton. “We welcome these students and are pleased that we are able to provide them with the opportunity to further their education and their careers.”
 
All seven community college campuses reported increases ranging from 2.6 percent to 16.1 percent. Hawai‘i Community College posted the largest numerical gain with 535 students and also boasted the greatest percentage gain at 16.1 percent. Specific figures per campus follow:
  • Hawai‘i CC recorded 3,850 students, a gain of 535 or 16.1 percent;
  • Honolulu CC enrolled 4,775 students, a gain of 190 or 4.1 percent;
  • Kapi‘olani CC enrolled 9,446 students, a gain of 240 or 2.6 percent;
  • Kaua‘i CC recorded 1,442 students, a gain of 98 or 7.3 percent;
  • Leeward CC registered 7,991 students, a gain of 406 or 5.4 percent;
  • UH Maui College totaled 4,350 students, a gain of 265 or 6.5 percent; and
  • Windward CC recorded 2,661 students, a gain of 335 or 14.4 percent.
Separately, approximately 28,000 registrations in non-credit programs are expected throughout the UH system.