(LaPorte, IN) - Enrollment has dropped significantly at the Purdue University campuses at Westville and Hammond.

The number of students at both campuses has declined from over 15,000 to slightly more than

10,000 the past five-years.

Purdue University Northwest Chancellor Thomas Keon says it’s happening at many colleges nationwide and cited declining birth rates in the U.S,. as a major reason during a presentation at Monday night’s LaPorte City Council meeting.

Keon says other factors include Ivy Tech taking over some the curriculum regional college campuses used to offer.