Enrollment at UMaine System Down

Officials say the total number of students enrolled this fall in schools belonging to the University of Maine System has decreased from last year.

Just two of the system's campuses — Orono and Fort Kent — reported enrollment increases over the past year.

But the Portland Press Herald reports the seven-campus system offset any financial losses by increasing its number of out-of-state students, who pay significantly more in tuition, by nearly 8 percent.

Ryan Low, the system's chief financial officer, says every dollar of out-of-state revenue helps strengthen Maine's public education system.

Enrollment in the UMaine System has declined 9 percent over the last five years. During that same time period, however, out-of-state enrollment has increased a total of 31 percent from 3,966 students to 5,202.