Enrollment up at Minn. colleges

Enrollment at Minnesota State College and University schools jumped 3.7 percent this spring compared to last.

Chancellor James McCormick says the enrollment increase is higher than expected and is probably due to the state of the economy. He says economic downturns typically result in higher college enrollment as laid-off workers seek job training and employed people try to enhance their skills to keep their jobs.

The number of students rose by 4.8 percent at the system's 25 two-year colleges, and by 1.5 percent at its seven state universities.