A university report released Tuesday shows MSU enrollment at 43,336.

The final enrollment tally is only slightly lower than the preliminary data released by university officials late last month. Final enrollment figures were determined after one-fourth of the fall semester had passed to allow for additions and drops from the university.

The figures stay within the university’s plan to stabilize the student population between 43,000 and 44,000 throughout the next several years, which would optimize use of the university’s physical plant, faculty and classroom space, officials have said.

MSU’s entering class is pegged at 6,772 students this year with a record applicant pool of 22,709. Overall, undergraduate enrollment increased by 376 students, or 1.1 percent, and graduate enrollment decreased by 97 students, or 1.3 percent.

More than half of students enrolled are women.

Minority students account for 15.6 percent of the total student body - the highest percentage in MSU’s history - and 19.5 percent of the entering class - a 19 percent increase from the 1999-2000 academic year. Enrollment for all minority groups matched or exceeded historical records at MSU.

University officials also noted that the average grade point average for incoming freshmen rose to 3.48, an increase from 3.44 last year. The average ACT score increased as well, up to 23.9 from 23.7 for the 1999-2000 academic year.

FROM STAFF REPORTS