Student Diversity Statistics
Back in 1980, just 388 students of color were enrolled at Western out of 10,616 students (3.7%). In each of the last 28 years, many more students of color have discovered that Western is an excellent place to experience higher education, enriching the Western experience for all students.
The fall 2008 student body was comprised of 2,482 students from ethnic minority groups, in a total student body that numbered 13,777 (18%), due both to new enrollment and improved retention. Twenty two percent of new freshman and 19.6% of new transfers self-reported their racial or ethnic identity as Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian American or Native American. 25.5% of Fall 2009 freshman applications are from students in these racial and ethnic groups.
ENROLLMENT - All students, FALL 2008
HEADCOUNT: 13,777 (FTE: 12,908)
Undergraduate Headcount: 12,838
Full-time: 12,274
Part-time: 564 (4.4%)
Graduate Headcount: 897 (6.5%)
Full-time: 486
Part-time: 411
Non-Matriculated: 42
Men 6,260 (45.4%)
Women 7,517 (54.6%)
Average Age: Mean: 21.5; Median: 20; Mode: 19
Student/Faculty Ratio: 19:1 (Faculty FTE includes TAs)
ETHNIC ORIGIN - All students, FALL 2008
| Black American | 387 | (2.8%) |
| American Indian | 326 | (2.4%) |
| Asian American | 1,179 | (8.6%) |
| Hispanic American | 590 | (4.3%) |
| Caucasian | 10,546 | (76.5%) |
| Other/Unknown | 749 | (5.4%) |
| Combined Ethnic Minority Groups | 2,482 | (23.5%) |