Rutgers Enrolls Largest Number of First-Year Students in 30 Years

University offers glimpse of the accomplished and diverse class of 2012

This year’s class is among the most diverse, representing nearly 100 countries and 41 states. More than half of incoming first-year students identify themselves as non-Caucasian. The numbers of black and Latino first-year students have increased 14 percent universitywide. Also, about one-third of the new students are from families in which neither parent holds a four-year degree.

The class is accomplished, with 132 valedictorians and salutatorians choosing to enroll.

“This year, many of Rutgers’ schools are experiencing higher enrollment than in previous years as the institution’s visibility and reputation continue to grow,” said Courtney McAnuff, vice president for enrollment management at Rutgers. Enrollment at the School of the Arts and Sciences, the newest and largest undergraduate unit established last year as part of the transformation of undergraduate education, is up 7 percent from its inaugural fall 2007 semester.

 Below are some noteworthy characteristics of the incoming class based on the most recently available data. Final statistics will be available later this fall.

 Admission Process:

• Rutgers experienced a record number of first-year and transfer applications this fall – more than 43,500.  
• Rutgers estimates there will be more than 7,000 incoming first-year students universitywide – the largest number in 30 years.
• First-year enrollment increased more than 5 percent from last year.
• On the New Brunswick Campus, more than 6,000 first-year and transfer students are expected.

Academic Profile:

• Approximately 132 incoming students were valedictorians or salutatorians of their high school classes.
• Enrollment of Rutgers Presidential Scholars has risen 42 percent from 59 to 84 first-year students. Presidential Scholarships are awarded to students who achieved a minimum score of 1500 on their SATs (Critical Reading plus Math) and were ranked in the top 5 percent of their graduating class, among other criteria.
• The mean combined SAT scores (Critical Reading plus Math) for enrolling students are close to 200 points above the national average, and are three points higher than those of last year’s incoming class.
• The top 1,000 students enrolling at Rutgers have an average SAT score of 1400 and rank in the top 6 percent of their class.

Background and Diversity:

• The incoming class represents nearly 100 countries and 41 states.
• More than half of first-year students universitywide are non-white.
• Universitywide, the number of African-American/black first-year students has risen 13 percent and Latinos 15 percent.
• About one-third of enrolling students are from families in which neither parent has a four-year college degree.

Programs of highest interest as expressed by first-year and transfer students:

• Business (including concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management)
• Engineering
• Premedicine and Dentistry
• Biology
• Psychology
• Teacher Education
• Criminal Justice and Administration of Justice
• Pharmacy
• Nursing
• Communication

Media Contact: Sandra Lanman
732-932-7084, ext. 621
E-mail: slanman@ur.rutgers.edu