University of Wisconsin-System sees record enrollment and graduation rates

University of Wisconsin-System sees record enrollment and graduation rates

According to the University of Wisconsin-System's annual accountability report, the state's public universities and colleges are enrolling and graduating more students now than ever before. In 2009, nearly 180,000 students enrolled in an on-campus or online degree program, marking a significant increase compared to the previous year, according to Fox21Online.com.

However, UW-System spokesman David Giroux indicated that the collection of state colleges and universities needs to do a better job attracting and retaining minority students.

"And when they get here, they're not graduating at the same rate as their white counterparts," Giroux told the news source.

In fact, the report noted that only 46 percent of minority students who enrolled in one of the system's degree offerings graduated within five years, compared to 68 percent of Caucasian students.

Giroux said the UW-System will investigate each campus' racial climate and will work to improve transfer rates among minority students.
Currently, approximately one-fourth of students enrolled in higher education programs are taking at least one online course, according to U.S. News and World Report.

By Mark Danson