Hawkeye Reporter

As fall semester begins, three public universities in Iowa has reported decreased enrollment numbers, continuing a trend of decline over the past year. 

While the three colleges, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa, all saw a decrease in total enrollment, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported new student enrollments and freshmen class sizes grew at Iowa State and UNI this year. The University of Iowa freshmen class increased by just 11 students compared to the 2020 school year. 

“We are grateful that they chose the University of Iowa, and we will support them as they pursue their academic and co-curricular passions,” Sarah Hansen, University of Iowa vice president for student life told the Iowa Capital Dispatch. “We will continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19 as Hawkeyes always do — together.”

The University of Northern Iowa has attempted to get enrollment numbers back up for several years, KIWA Radio reported. Though more new students enrolled in the university this year following a decline from the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment numbers have not yet changed for international students.

The University of Iowa reported 394 students fewer than last year, Iowa State reported 1,117 fewer students and UNI saw a decrease in 291 students, according to Iowa Capital Dispatch. 

This is not the first year numbers have been down across the state. Enrollments had been declining since 2016, when the state hit a record high of 80,269 students, though COVID-19 has played a major role in changes for higher education institutions across the country, Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.