OU welcomes largest undergraduate class in its history

Welcoming its 13th straight year of enrollment growth, Oakland University is now host to a student population of more than 19,000 students.

Fall 2010 enrollment figures indicate an overall increase of 1.7 percent. The total population of 19,053 students is comprised of 15,530 undergraduates – the largest count in university history – and 3,523 graduates.

University administrators see this continued growth as an encouraging sign in the midst of a struggling economy across the U.S., but particularly in Michigan.

"This enrollment increase reaffirms that quality academic programs taught by world-class faculty have made Oakland University a first-choice institution among our student population," said Oakland President Gary D. Russi.

"More importantly, students' growing reliance on higher education to build a more prosperous future shows that they are ready to meet and exceed the demands of the state's rapidly evolving economic base."

As part of the continued enrollment growth OU has seen this year, 1,825 new students transferred from other institutions. This represents an 8.8 percent increase over 2009 figures. The university also has seen a 2.1 percent increase in the total number of credits students are taking.

Oakland University is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of the nation's 83 doctoral/research universities. It now offers 134 bachelor's degree programs and 124 graduate degree and certificate programs. To learn more, visit Oakland University on the Web at oakland.edu.