MUNCIE, Ind. -- Not only are more students of color enrolled at Ball State University, but the percentage of those who earn a degree is the same as the rest of the student body.

An analysis of graduation rates for freshmen who entered in 1989-91 showed that 55.2 percent of African-American students had earned an associate or bachelor's degree by 1997, compared with a 56.5 percent graduation rate for Caucasians. Hispanic students graduated at a rate of 54.1 percent during the same period.

Fall enrollment figures this year reflected a sharp increase in African-American students in the freshman class, up 31 percent from the previous year. Students of color now make up 7.5 percent of the total enrollment at Ball State, more than ever before.

"The graduation rates for African-American and Hispanic students at Ball State are considerably higher than those reported by most other universities in the country," said Vice President for Student Affairs Douglas McConkey. "We've worked hard to ensure that all our students are successful, and these statistics show that one group of students can be as successful as another."

The overall graduation rate also is better than the national average for colleges and universities like Ball State. Several new retention efforts instituted this year, including a $3 million program for freshmen funded by the Lilly Foundation, should significantly boost the percentage of freshmen who earn a degree in 5-6 years, said McConkey.