UD In-State Enrollment on a Decline
This article originally written by WJBR Digital Content Intern, Elyse DiPisa. DiPisa is a sophomore Media Communications student at the University of Delaware from Montgomery County, PA. Along with being…
This article originally written by WJBR Digital Content Intern, Elyse DiPisa. DiPisa is a sophomore Media Communications student at the University of Delaware from Montgomery County, PA. Along with being a Digital Content Intern for WJBR, Elyse also works for the university's Student Television Network 49 News Program and as a tour guide for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
As of this winter, the University of Delaware in-state student enrollment numbers are at a low - specifically from southern Delaware.
According to the university’s website, as of this academic year the number of in-state undergraduate students is 7,480. This figure makes up only about 40% of UD’s Newark campus’ 18,618 total undergraduates for 2020-2021.
Taking a look at neighboring Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University for example, PSU’s University Park campus consists of about 58% in-state students.
So, what is causing less in-state interest in UD? Rodney Morrison, Vice President of Enrollment at the university, told WRDE Coast TV that amidst the pandemic, Delawareans and students around the country alike were not able to visit as many schools as in other years. Morrison also stated that in typical years, UD admissions counselors would focus on getting to high schools within the state and in the southern counties especially. Kent and Sussex County enrollments in the university have dropped 18% and 15% respectively.
The University of Delaware told WRDE that the particular reason for this circumstance is the pandemic affecting minority high school students from lower-income families.
Students can still apply to UD and are encouraged to as the school is continuing to review applications for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year.
