Youngstown State University's enrollment has increased by nearly 3,000 students, or by 25 percent, since the year 2000.           

According to preliminary 14^th–day official enrollment counts, enrollment at YSU is 14,682, an increase of 970 students over last year. That represents a 7.1 percent jump.

It is the highest enrollment since 1992, when the number of students on campus was 14,806.

In 2000, enrollment was 11,787. Since then, the number of students has increased by 2,895, or nearly 25 percent.

"One of the keys to the future of the Youngstown region is increasing the percentage of residents who have a college education," YSU President David C. Sweet said. "As our enrollment grows and as more people successfully complete our quality programs, opportunities grow in the community for economic development."

Sweet said reasons for the continued increase in enrollment include a new program aimed at making YSU more affordable for students in Western Pennsylvania, a new Office of Veterans Affairs established to help attract returning veterans, the lagging local and national economies and high unemployment rates, and the continuation of successful recruiting and marketing initiatives.

"More and more people are understanding the value of a college degree, and more and more are recognizing that YSU offers a breadth of quality, affordable academic programs taught by top–notch faculty on a beautiful and safe campus that can help them reach their professional career goals and personal dreams," Sweet said.

The increased enrollment is projected to generate additional revenue for the universityÕs general fund budget, although the exact amount is yet to be determined. The increased enrollment also will result in additional marginal costs, including hiring more adjunct faculty to handle the increased number of students and the payment of enrollment incentive bonuses to the university's classified employees.