UMaine system sees another big boost in students 'from away'

[TexasTowelie]

The number of out-of-staters attending Maine’s universities continues to grow, easing the financial strain on a state institution that’s running low on prospective college students within its own borders.

Maine welcomed 5,727 students from outside Maine to start the fall semester, a nearly 11 percent increase from the previous fall, according to the latest enrollment figures presented at Monday’s regular University of Maine System board of trustees meeting.

Out-of-staters now account for about 20 percent of all college students in the system. Their impact is most pronounced at the flagship campus in Orono, where 44 percent of students are from another state or nation.

“Overall, we’ve seen the impact of improving enrollment on several campuses,” Rosa Redonnett, chief student affairs officer, told trustees. “A big shout-out to [the University of Southern Maine] on that.”

Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2017/11/20/education/umaine-system-sees-another-big-boost-in-students-from-away/

[KPN]

1. I wonder if the decline of resident enrollment

is related to ability -- or I should say inability -- to afford the cost among residents. It would not only be interesting to know what that relationship might be, but also instructive about the State's commitment to its' residents/citizens/taxpayers.

[TexasTowelie]

2. The nationwide trend is for declining enrollments.

From a demographic point of view there are less students available to fill up the seats. This trend started about five years ago and is expected to continue. The actual solution for the problem is for the people in Maine to have more kids.

[KPN]

3. Ah. That makes sense ...

not the more kids, but the explanation. So state universities are seeing declining enrollment due to declining student population. And I thought that was a rural, resource based economy issue like here in SW oregon.

Thanks for explaining.