Growing Despite National Trends, Art College Increases Fall Signups

SARASOTA, Fla., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ –Despite a national flattening of college enrollment, a noted art and design school here is enrolling 11% more new students this term than last.

Ringling College of Art and Design reports that 448 new students are beginning classes this term. The number compares with 403 a year ago. That’s slightly more than an 11% increase. Total enrollment will exceed 1250, the college reports.

Nationally, a survey reports that at 300 other non-profit, four-year institutions, undergraduate enrollment will rise only by an average of 0.2% this year compared with last. That’s according to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. As for tuition costs, the association predicted a 4.3% increase in tuition and fee charges. Ringling’s tuition is up slightly.

Why the growth at Ringling? It’s almost a new institution, though nearly 80 years old. There are two new buildings, with 160,000 square feet, on its 40-acre campus near downtown Sarasota. And there are new programs, including the nation’s first four-year program for teaching business to creative people, called The Business of Art and Design. Majors have spurted in the last three years, from six to 14.

Ringling College is located at 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34234.

Telephone 941/359-7594. Email clange@ringling.edu.

SOURCE Ringling College of Art and Design