Northern Michigan University released its 10th day winter 2014 semester enrollment report. The total headcount is 8,024, a decrease of 227 students—2.8 percent—from the same report for winter 2013. Most of that loss is due to declines that occurred at the start of the fall semester, when 219 fewer students enrolled compared with the previous year.

“We anticipated the continuation of the fall’s loss into spring and planned accordingly. Higher education enrollment is declining across much of the state based on several factors, primarily including declining high school demographics as well as improving economics in Michigan,” said Steve Neiheisel, vice president for enrollment and student services. “It is important to note these are preliminary figures. The final count for the semester will be higher because of additional enrollment from classes or programs that haven’t started yet, so it’s too early to compare these numbers with the final count of 8,602 recorded for winter 2013.”

Student credit hours increased at the graduate level, but decreased overall by 2.7 percent. Nearly 88 percent of first-time full-time baccalaureate freshmen who entered in the fall have returned for the second semester, marking an increase in retention between fall and winter semesters for a third consecutive year.

The final fall enrollment was also announced at 8,918 students, up from the 10th day count of 8,879.