Enrollments on the increase in state’s public higher education system: The Massachusetts Department of High Education yesterday (Tuesday) released data showing the state’s public colleges and universities hit a new 10-year high in enrollment figures.
The 2011 Early Enrollment and Long Term Trend Comparisons reveals a 23 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment in the state’s higher education system between fall 2001 and fall 2011. The report also shows that some colleges and universities have seen dramatic annual enrollment increases in the past year. Framingham State University’s enrollment increased 15 percent, for example. "The data tell an important story, namely that our public colleges and universities continue to play a decidedly more important role in educating the future citizens and workforce of the Commonwealth," said Richard M. Freeland, Commissioner of Higher Education for Massachusetts. "While the numbers are not as dramatic as in recent years, this new analysis shows that our enrollment growth remains consistent and our role in educating the state’s future citizenry and workforce continues to expand."