Enrollment at University of Wisconsin System schools dropped 1% this fall compared with a year ago when it was down 2%.
The university reported the preliminary figures on Wednesday.
Enrollment was up 6% at the flagship Madison campus, an increase of 2,564 students over last year. But it was down at 10 of the 12 other four-year campuses.
Only UW-Green Bay, which grew 3%, and UW-Superior, which was up 2%, had increases. The biggest drop was 11% at UW-Platteville followed by an 8% decline at UW-River Falls.
Interim UW President Tommy Thompson said the past 18 months have been incredibly challenging for all of higher education.