5 percent more collegians in Nevada this year

Monday, Jan. 26, 1998 | 10:53 a.m.

Figures released by the University and Community College System of Nevada, whose Board of Regents met in Las Vegas Friday and Saturday, show a 5 percent increase in the number of students in the state's colleges.

In the fall of 1996 there were 74,655 students. Last fall the system had 78,407.

The largest increase in the number of college students was in Nye County, where the student population increased by 8.8 percent.

Clark County had the second biggest jump, at 6.8 percent. Esmeralda County had a 2 percent decrease in the college student population. Washoe County had an increase of 1.5 percent.

The report noted that the majority of Nevada students are "non-traditional" by age. Only 30.6 percent are under age 22; 32.9 percent are between 22 and 29 and 36.5 percent are over 30.

Graduate and professional students are showing a significant increase, according to the report.

According to the report, the probability of a Nevada ninth-grader going to college within four years is the lowest in the nation. The state ranks 36th in the number of ninth graders who complete high school.

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