Students enrolled in record numbers this spring at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, resulting in an increase of 14,338 students, or nearly an 8 percent gain, over a year ago, officials reported March 3.

The state college and university system has 197,576 students taking credit courses, compared to last spring's enrollment of 183,238. The latest growth spurt was on top of a record increase last fall when an additional 12,641 students enrolled compared to the year before.

"This large enrollment increase clearly shows Minnesotans are turning to their state colleges and universities when times are tough," said Chancellor James H. McCormick. "We are glad to help them pursue their goals. Equally important, we will have more graduates ready in the next few years to help Minnesota's employers rebuild the state's economy."

Enrollment increases were particularly strong at the two-year colleges. Fourteen colleges had increases of 10 percent or more.

Overall, enrollment at the system's 25 two-year colleges increased this spring by 10.1 percent; the number of students at the seven state universities went up 3 percent.

The numbers released today were the official enrollment count of students taking credit-based courses on the 30th day of the spring semester. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges.

• Record enrollments reported at MnSCU -3/3/2010
• Region's banks took 2009 hit -3/3/2010
• Minnesota employers add 15,600 jobs in January -3/2/2010
• EPA issues plan for Great Lakes cleanup -3/2/2010
• EPA pans PolyMet draft EIS -3/2/2010