North Dakota shows healthy gains

In results recently released by the Council of Graduate Schools from their CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees (Jan/Feb 2010), North Dakota ranked with gains on all three of the tables shown.

The first results are for states with the largest graduate enrollment gains (Fall 1998 – Fall 2008) – Vermont topped the list at 115% with ND in second position at 85%.

The second results are for states with the largest gains in Master’s degree production (1997-98 to 2007-08) — ND ranks 8th in the top ten states at 54%.

Finally, the third table shows the results of states with the largest gains in Doctoral degree production (1997-98 to 2007-08) — ND shows an outstanding ranking in first position at 226%, far above Mississippi (171%). Overall there was an increase of 25% in the national numbers.

In her plenary lecture at last week’s WAGS Conference, Debra Stewart, President of the Council of Graduate Schools noted that the trend in enrollment increases is seen in the western states and reflected many of the institutions that were represented at the conference.

This is good news, if you happen to be one of the schools in this region. Perhaps one of the reasons for this growth is our healthy state coffers. We regularly hear reports of schools in neighboring states and around the country making heavy-handed budget cuts, performing creative fiscal recoveries, new organizational structures and the enforcement of furlough days for faculty and staff. So far, we are fortunate to have avoided drastic measures, instead continuing along a fairly conservative path. We are able to continue funding our graduate students, supporting faculty research and furthering the mission of the university. Things look good here in North Dakota!