(Hammond/Westville, IN) - Purdue University Northwest reports a six percent increase in the number of undergraduate students this semester.

PNW with campuses in Hammond and near Westville also reported a 70.5 percent retention rate for returning second year students.

University officials gave some of the enrollment increase credit to receiving students from Ivy Tech Community College campuses throughout the region to complete their four year degrees.

“We are proud that students and their families trust Purdue University Northwest for their higher education goals,” said PNW Chancellor Kenneth Holford.

PNW also reported the student athlete population has grown to more than 530 students on campus.

The number of students attending classes in person on campus was just over 6,100.