Valley City (VCSU, CSi)  Valley City State University has released its final enrollment figures for Fall Semester 2014, showing a total headcount of 1,378 students, the second highest in university history.

VCSU set enrollment records in 2011; since then enrollment has remained stable.

“We’re pleased with these enrollment numbers,” said Margaret Dahlberg, VCSU interim president. “Because the number of new students on campus each year has remained relatively consistent since 2011, it’s clear that enrollment growth is coming through increased retention—having our students come back each semester, each year until they graduate,” added Dahlberg. “That’s the real story—that everyone on campus has come together to create a place where students thrive.”

VCSU’s FTE (full-time equivalent) enrollment of 989 students for Fall 2014 also represents one of the university’s highest totals ever, and the undergraduate FTE count of 940 represents an increase of 22 FTE over Fall 2013 figures.

In addition to the enrollment increase, VCSU continues a positive, upward trend in residence hall occupancy in Fall 2014. Those numbers increased 6 percent over Fall 2013 figures, and since Fall 2010, there has been a 33 percent increase in occupancy. Recent physical upgrades to the residence halls and a renovation of the VCSU cafeteria, along with an increased emphasis on programming in the halls, have helped bring students back to campus.

“This school was founded by the people of North Dakota to educate teachers,” said Dahlberg. “Now, almost 125 years later, our offerings have expanded beyond teacher preparation, but the university continues to enrich the lives of those who come here for an outstanding education, and those faculty and staff who make that happen.”

In each of the last 6 years, VCSU has been ranked by U.S. News in the No. 1 or No. 2 position among Public Regional Colleges in the Midwest, and both its online Master’s of Education degree program and online Bachelor’s degree programs have also been nationally ranked by U.S. News. VCSU has been recognized as a U.S. News “Best College” for 17 consecutive years.

Founded in 1890, VCSU will begin a yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary with the theme “Making a Difference—Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” at Homecoming Week in October 2014 and continue through Homecoming 2015.