MOSCOW — The University of Idaho enrollment is down 9.5% overall and down 3% among full-time enrollment without dual-credit and non-degree seeking students.

According to a press release put out by the University, a decrease in enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic was expected, but a nearly double-digit decrease overall was not. The University considers the 3% decrease in full-time enrollment of degree-seeking students to be reasonable.

First-time undergraduate enrollment for the Fall 2020 semester is at 1,429, down 56 from 2019. However, graduate student enrollment is up to 573, a 4.2% increase from 2019, and student enrollment in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (students from a Western state who pay less than normal out-of-state tuition) program is up 21%.

"We understand the concern of some students," said University of Idaho President Scott Green in the press release. "But we hope our success this fall will increase confidence in students across the state. We are actively recruiting for Spring and for Fall 2021 and are confident students can find their place as a Vandal."

The University of Idaho says it has gone to "extreme efforts" in order to hold in-person classes this semester.