HPU sees increase
in enrollment

The number of new undergraduates
rose almost 18 percent over last year's
total

Enrollment at Hawaii Pacific University increased about 2.5 percent from last fall to about 8,500 students, the school announced.

The two main campuses of HPU have a total of 5,809 graduate and undergraduate students. About 2,700 more students are expected to enroll through HPU's military programs, said Nancy Ellis, vice president of student support services at HPU.

The number of new undergraduate students on the main campuses increased almost 18 percent to 1,535 from 1,296 last year, with most of the growth coming from the mainland.

Every state was represented, with California, Washington, Texas, Oregon and Illinois sending the most students. Mainland undergraduate admissions are up by 110 students to 638 this fall, a 21 percent increase.

International student undergraduate enrollment grew by 13 percent, with most students coming from Sweden, Germany, Japan, Korea and China. HPU enrolled about 272 students from other countries this year compared with 241 last fall.

In-state enrollment is also up 98 students, or 19 percent, to 625.

"This is an outstanding freshman class," noted Cherie Andrade, HPU director of admissions. "Among the many standout students enrolling as freshmen were three of the five valedictorians from Castle High School."

About 1,112 students are seeking graduate degrees.

The enrollment numbers do not include students from military bases on Oahu, so the exact figure is not set, said Ellis said. "However, when the dust settles we expect that our overall fall census will be approximately 8,500 students enrolled in our credit programs."

HPU is the largest private university in Hawaii, with undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 60 fields.