Our latest enrollment update shows a dynamic and evolving picture for Summer and Fall 2024. With SOAR registrations up by an impressive 24.24% from last year and a strong attendance rate, we’re excited about the upcoming sessions. Despite some fluctuations in credit-hour production and student headcount, our proactive efforts in student retention and support continue to make a significant impact.
Headcount and Credit Hour Information for Fall 2024
As of June 27, 2024, student credit-hour production is -2,070 (-1,536 undergraduate, -534 graduate), a decrease of 1.87%. Until we reach the July SOAR dates for 2024 and 2023, enrollments over the next month will not be significantly changing. Last year at this time, we had one in-person SOAR session remaining on July 24 which ended up having 132 students attend. There was also a second virtual SOAR that had 26 students attend for a total of 158 students between the two events. This year, we have two in-person SOAR sessions and a second virtual SOAR event that will still bring roughly 522 students to UCA before the beginning of August.
The current student headcount shows an overall decrease of 249 students (-141 undergraduate, -107 graduate, – 1 concurrent), amounting to a 2.91% decrease from the previous year.
SOAR Registration and Attendance Data
SOAR registrations continued to grow this last week as we have moved to 2,276 registrations for a 24.24% increase from a year ago.
| SOAR Registration |
Fall 2024 |
Fall 2023 |
+/- | Percentage +/- |
| 1-Day | 1694 | 1192 | 502 | 42.11% |
| 2-Day | 526 | 575 | -49 | -8.52% |
| Virtual | 56 | 65 | -9 | -13.85% |
| Total Pre-Registered | 2276 | 1832 | 444 | 24.24% |
SOAR attendance data represents a 5.21% increase at this moment, but again, remember, last year, we would have 158 more students attend SOAR, and at this point for July and the virtual offering, we have 522 students registered to attend and are currently experiencing 94% show rate for students on their SOAR date.
| SOAR Attendance |
Fall 2024 |
Fall 2023 |
+/- | Percentage +/- |
| 1-Day (5/5 sessions) |
1118 | 1003 | 115 | 11.47% |
| 2-Day (5/6 sessions) |
503 | 532 | -29 | -5.45% |
| Virtual | 36 | 40 | -4 | -10.00% |
| Total Pre-Registered | 1657 | 1575 | 82 | 5.21% |
Retention and Student Success Information
As it stands now, we are retaining our first-year students to their second year at UCA at 72.27%, down 2.49% from a year ago. Our overall underrepresented student retention for first-year students is down compared to a year ago (2.34%). During the summer we saw late registrations for summer enrollment and I do think that the unique and frustrating rollout of FAFSA is likely impacting our continuing students as well. Financial Aid and Strategic Enrollment Communication continue to reach out to students about FAFSA support.
The first-year to third-year retention rate at UCA stands at 60.92%, a decrease of 1.39% from last year’s rate of 62.31%.
Headcount and Credit Hour Information for Summer 2024
As of June 27, 2024, student credit-hour production is -357 (-6 undergraduate, -351 graduate), a decrease of 1.54%. Student headcount is currently -117 (-26 undergraduate, -91 graduate), or -3.07% compared to a year ago.
| Summer Credit Hours |
Summer 2024 |
Summer 2023 |
+/- | Percentage +/- |
| Undergraduate | 13,108 | 13,114 | -6 | -0.05% |
| Graduate | 9,673 | 10,024 | -351 | -3.50% |
| Total Student | 22,781 | 23,138 | -357 | -1.54% |