Enrollment Increase, Total Enrollment Set Records at Penn College

Fall 2002 enrollment at Pennsylvania College of Technology has established two all-time records for the largest increase ever and the highest total enrollment at the institution, a special-mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University in Williamsport.

And, the College earned recognition recently in two national publications: "The New York Times Magazine" and "America's Best Colleges 2003," published by "U.S. News & World Report."

"We are gratified that so many students have chosen Penn College as the place to pursue their college education and prepare themselves for meaningful careers," said College President Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour. "It's clear that the good news is spreading about the value of a Penn College education and our success in placing graduates in high-quality jobs."

Based on third-week enrollment totals - those traditionally used by colleges and universities to track changes in the student population Penn College's total enrollment for the Fall 2002 semester rose to 5,963, an increase of 7.7 percent from last year.

Enrollment in bachelor-degree majors increased by 8.8 percent from 2001, and baccalaureate programs now represent 35 percent of all enrollments at the College. The number of students in associate-degree and certificate majors rose 7.3 percent from last year; they constitute 63 percent of the College's total enrollment.

Eighty-two percent of students at Penn College this fall are enrolled full-time. The full-time equivalent enrollment is up 9.1 percent from Fall 2001. The percentage of female students enrolled at Penn College rose from 34 percent to 35 percent this fall. Minority-student enrollment increased by 13 percent.

In-state enrollment rose 6.8 percent for Fall 2002, while out-of-state enrollment increased nearly 22 percent. The four other states sending the largest number of students to Penn College this fall are: New Jersey, 110 or 1.8 percent; New York, 106 or 1.8 percent; Maryland, 48, or .8 percent; and Virginia, 31, or .5 percent. In all, 28 states are represented at the College.

Within Pennsylvania, the 10-county Northcentral region has the largest enrollment: 2,812. Other regions' totals are: Southeastern, 903; Central, 805; Northeastern, 773; and Western, 244. Lycoming County's enrollment is 1,489.

International enrollment is 33, up one from Fall 2001. Sixteen countries are represented in the Fall 2002 enrollment.

In the Sept. 22 edition of "The New York Times Magazine," Penn College was mentioned in a full-page advertising feature on Page 22 entitled, "Great Places to Learn in Pennsylvania+Virginia."

In describing the diverse range of schools available to prospective students in Pennsylvania, the feature refers to "larger, technologically innovative schools such as Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania College of Technology."

Pennsylvania and Virginia, the ad notes, constitute "an area with its eye on the future, a magnet for thousands of students drawn to its more than 200 colleges and universities."

Penn College also has risen to the second tier of the rankings in its category for "America's Best Colleges 2003," published by "U.S. News & World Report." Last year, in its first appearance in the rankings, Penn College was in the classification's third tier.

Including Penn College, 69 institutions are listed in the North region of the "Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor's" classification. The second-tier ranking begins at 19 and runs through 37; the third tier is 38-54, and the fourth tier is 55-69. The publication lists colleges alphabetically in the second through fourth tiers. Only the top tier is ranked numerically.

Penn College is one of only two public colleges listed in the second-tier rankings. All of the others are private colleges.

The "Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor's" classification includes colleges that focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than 50 percent of their degrees in liberal-arts disciplines. At least 10 percent of the undergraduate degrees awarded by these colleges are bachelor's degrees.

The colleges in each category are ranked against their peers, based on composite weighted scores. Categories assessed include retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

For more information about Penn College, visit on the Web or call toll-free, 1-800-367-9222.