Student Enrollment
Explore official Rutgers enrollment data, trends, and key metrics.
Definitions
Select a term to view its definition.
Campus
One of four Chancellor Led Units at Rutgers University: Camden, New Brunswick, Newark, or Rutgers Health. For federal reporting, Rutgers Health is combined with New Brunswick.
Census Date
The date when Rutgers captures its official student enrollment snapshot, typically on the fifth Friday of the fall and spring semesters. This is also referred to as Phase III Reporting.
Class Level
The student's academic level based on their progress toward completion of a degree or certificate:
- Undergraduate students are taking courses at the baccalaureate level or below, whether or not they are enrolled in an undergraduate program.
- Graduate students hold a bachelor's degree or above and are taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level, excluding students in professional practice doctoral programs.
- Professional students are enrolled in a professional practice doctoral program that prepares them for licensure to practice in a profession (e.g., law, medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy).
Full-Time Student
A student enrolled in the number of credit hours required for full-time status based on their academic level and term. In the fall and spring, this is generally 12 or more credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 or more credit hours for graduate students. Professional student requirements vary by program.
Headcount
The number of unique students enrolled during the specified reporting period. Each student is counted once within the defined enrollment population, regardless of if they are enrolled in multiple schools or campuses.
NJ County Residence
The New Jersey county identified as the student's permanent residence for reporting purposes. County of residence is based on the student's reported permanent address and is distinct from the location of the institution, campus, or student's current housing.
Students whose permanent residence is outside New Jersey, or whose county of residence is unknown or unavailable, are not assigned to a New Jersey county.
Part-Time Student
A student enrolled in fewer than the number of credit hours required for full-time status based on their academic level and term. In the fall and spring, this is generally fewer than 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and fewer than 9 credit hours for graduate students. Summer credit hour requirements vary by student level and school. Professional student requirements vary by program.
Cohort
The group of first-time, full-time, bachelor’s degree-seeking students who enter Rutgers during the fall term or the immediately preceding summer. Students who first enter in the spring are not included.
Residence
The student's residence classification based on the permanent address reported at the time of application. Students are classified as In-State (New Jersey), Out-of-State/Unknown (another U.S. state or territory, or permanent residence not reported), or Foreign (outside the United States).
Enrolled Student
A student is included if the student is enrolled for credit in at least one course as of the official fall reporting date. Students enrolled only in noncredit courses or auditing courses are generally excluded.
Year
The calendar year of the fall enrollment snapshot. Enrollment reflects student status as of the official fall census date.
FAQs
Select a question to view the answer.
How is enrollment headcount calculated?
Headcount is the number of unique students included in the defined enrollment population as of the census date. Each student is counted once, regardless of the number of courses or credits they are enrolled in.
What is the cohort shown in the dashboard?
The cohort consists of first-time, full-time, bachelor’s degree-seeking students who enter Rutgers during the fall term or the immediately preceding summer. Students who first enter in the spring are not included. This is a specific subset of total enrollment. Continuing students, transfer students, part-time students, and graduate or professional students may be included in overall enrollment but are not part of this cohort.
Why might enrollment numbers differ from other university reports?
Enrollment counts can differ because reports may use different census dates, reporting periods, student populations, or counting rules. For example, one report may use the official fall census snapshot while another includes enrollment across multiple terms, or one may report headcount while another reports full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment. This dashboard uses the definitions and reporting methodology described in the glossary and data notes.
Questions About This Dashboard?
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