On-campus student enrollment at Clinton’s Ashford University increased 14% during the fall semester when compared to figures a year ago. Total enrollment on the University’s “census date,” the tenth day of attendance of the semester, was 428; last year the total on-campus enrollment was 376. 

            “The quality of our programs coupled with our affordability is contributing to significant student enrollment growth,” said Andrew Clark, Ashford’s Chief Executive Officer. “When we bought the University last March, there were 322 students. This increase is encouraging and we believe that these figures will show continued growth in another year.”

The University’s on-campus enrollment is the largest since 2003. 

            Ashford’s online student population is increasing as well, Clark said, noting that 3,554 students are enrolled in its online programs compared with 22 students just 18 months ago. This brings Ashford’s total student enrollment to 3,982.

            Including its online operation, Ashford has students from all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and overseas Department of Defense sites. Students from 20 foreign countries are enrolled in Ashford’s educational programs.

            Clark emphasized that with this growth the University has reinvested tuition into the infrastructure of the Clinton campus in the past year, including residence hall improvements and new furniture, a new fire alarm system, repairs to the library building, and increases in full time faculty and staff in Clinton and throughout the University system.

            “Financially we are very strong,” Clark said. “We’ve turned a university with a $2.5 million operating loss into a financially healthy organization in 18 months.”