NEW ORLEANS (April 30, 2021) – Dillard University enrollment beat the national average decline during the pandemic, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center and DU data.

Comparing spring 2021 to spring 2020, black undergraduate enrollment nationally fell 7.4 percent this spring compared to spring 2020. In contrast, Dillard’s decline for the same period was 5.5 percent, or nearly 2 percentage points less.

Dillard’s student population for spring 2021 was 1,115, according to data from the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. The numbers were down 8.2 percent (100 students) from fall 2020 and down 65 students, or 5.5 percent, when compared with spring 2020.

In comparison, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported that undergraduate enrollment declined by 4.5 percent this spring across institution types when compared to last spring.

The center said undergraduate enrollment declined for all racial and ethnic groups. Native American student enrollment took the largest hit, dropping by 12.5 percent. Undergraduate enrollment for black and white students fell by more than 7 percent.

National black male enrollment losses were double that of females. Black male enrollment dropped nationally by 7.4 percent this semester, compared to spring 2020. Black female enrollment dropped considered less, decreasing by 3.4 percent this semester.

Three out of four students at Dillard are female – 874 students, or 77 percent, compared with 251, or 23 percent, who identify as male.

Nationally, graduate enrollment and certification programs increased this spring, the center said.

(Victoria Hardy contributed to this report.)