Abstract
This paper examines alternative techniques for projecting freshman enrollment in specific academic departments. Departmental enrollment projections provided by four different projection models are compared to actual departmental enrollments at a selected institution. Two of the models use only historical data, while the other two models are sensitized to current developments as indicated by the expressed major choices of prospective freshmen. The use of discriminant analysis to establish differential enrollment probabilities is also explored.
Although different models do a better job for different curricular departments, the smallest mean squared error across all departments was obtained with the simplest projection technique. The use of the preliminary major choice of prospective freshmen did not improve departmental projections, and the student characteristics explored in this study did not differentiate enrolled from non-enrolled students adequately enough to improve enrollment projection accuracy.
Based on the results obtained at this one institution, therefore, it would appear that simple and straightforward projection models can be as useful as complex and sophisticated models.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cooley, W. W. and Lohnes, P. R. (1971). Multivariate Data Analysis. New York: Wiley.
Holland, J. L. and Lutz, S. W. (1967). “Predicting a Student's Vocational Choice”. ACT Research Report No. 18. Iowa City, Iowa: The American College Testing Program.
Holland, J. L. and Whitney, D. R. (1968). “Changes in the Vocational Plans of College Students: Orderly or Random”. ACT Research Report No. 25. Iowa City, Iowa: The American College Testing Program.
Holland, J. L., Whitney, D. R., Cole, N. S. and Richards, J. M. (1969). “An Empirical Occupational Classification Derived from a Theory of Personality and Intended for Practice and Research”. ACT Research Report No. 29. Iowa City, Iowa: The American College Testing Program.
Hoyt, D. P. and Munday, L. A. (1968). Your College Freshmen: Interpretive Guide to ACT Research Services for Higher Education. Iowa City, Iowa: The American College Testing Program.
Lutz, S. W. (1968). “Do They Do What They Say They Will Do?” ACT Research Report No. 24. Iowa City, Iowa: The American College Testing Program.
Wasik, J. L. (1971). “The Development of a Mathematical Model to Project Enrollments in a Community College System.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York, March 1971.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This is an expanded version of an earlier paper read at the 1971 Association of Institutional Research Forum in Denver, Colorado.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Orwig, M.D., Jones, P.K. & Lenning, O.T. Enrollment projection models for institutional planning. High Educ 1, 435–448 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00136803
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00136803