The new college year that begins this week could end up with record enrollments for Salem State and Endicott College.
Salem State is expecting more than 10,000 students before the academic year is over, while Endicott College has already enrolled the largest undergraduate class in its history with 2,100 students, according to school officials.
A Salem State official credited the school's popularity in part to its new status as a university, but mostly attributed the growth to its affordability.
"Some people might be looking at us because we're Salem State University now instead of Salem State College," said Scott James, associate vice president of enrollment management. "But my assumption is that it's primarily economic reasons."
Salem State, which will officially become a university on Oct. 26, expects to top its 2008 enrollment of 10,164 students, its highest ever, by the spring semester. Those numbers include graduate and undergraduate students.
James said the school can only handle a student increase of 1 to 2 percent per year. It opened a new residence hall this year that can accommodate 525 students.
Enrollment is growing in part because fewer students are transferring or dropping out, he said.
"It just isn't possible for families to consider a transfer to Northeastern or some other high-cost private institution when we believe they're getting a high-quality education here at a fair price," James said.
A year at Salem State costs about $16,420 for in-state students, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Endicott College is more than twice as expensive, about $38,000 per year, but that hasn't prevented the private school in Beverly from growing enrollment for 18 straight years.
Endicott College President Richard Wylie said the college spends $2 million in financial aid and that most students end up with about a 25 percent discount on tuition.
Wylie said he worried that the poor economy would hurt enrollment, so much so that he asked his admissions department to bring in extra students this year to compensate. But enrollment has remained strong.
"We are sailing against the tide on the economy," he said. "The day our costs become more than the value of our eduction, we're out of business."
Wylie said Endicott is benefiting from a growing national reputation. He pointed to the school's No. 10 ranking by U.S. News and World Report among regional colleges in the north. The magazine included Endicott on its list of "A-plus options for B students."
The college has expanded its fitness center and is building a 260-bed residence hall for next year. It is also pursuing state approval for a Ph.D. program.
"The image of the campus has really changed," Wylie said. "We had 176,000 visitors on campus last year. We're no longer an unknown, which is a great feeling."
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.
ENROLLMENT CHANGES
Fall 2010Fall 2009
Salem State
Enrollment6,4076,196
Cost$16,420$15,710
Endicott
Enrollment2,1002,024
Cost$38,636$37,212
Gordon
Enrollment1,4771,500
Cost$28,210$27,152
Montserrat
Enrollment355339
Cost$30,000$29,320
Enrollment figures include undergraduate students only.
Cost includes tuition, fees, and room and board. Salem State figures are for in-state students. Room and board costs vary based on dorm.
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