NAU freshmen push school to enrollment record

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - A 29% increase in the number of first-time freshmen enrolling at northern Arizona University has pushed overall university enrollment above 26,000 for the first time.

NAU says in a release that enrollment at main campus in Flagstaff also hit a record at 18,292. New rooms in Flagstaff residence halls means the school can house 8,400 students.

The rest of the students are enrolled at 1 of 34 extended campuses across the state. NAU enrolled its first class of students in the new downtown Phoenix Biomedical Campus this fall. The campus offers physical therapy and physician assistant degrees.

The College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences has the highest enrollment with nearly 5,800 students.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.