Enrollment in the UW System hit a new high this semester, reaching almost 182,000 students, according to new numbers released Monday.
The new record represents an increase of 1.6 percent, or 2,873 students, over last year's total, which was also a record.
Total enrollment over the last decade has increased by 11 percent, according to the statement, which may strain the system during the recession.
""Our success in this area is particularly noteworthy during a time of tight resources,"" UW System President Kevin Reilly said in a statement. ""We're more productive and more efficient than ever before, but we're also more challenged.""
The enrollment increase represents part of the Growth Agenda for Wisconsin, a plan to increase the number of degrees awarded by 30 percent over the next 15 years. It would result in 80,000 additional UW System graduates each year.
