The enrollment report released last week by the Kansas Board of Regents held some positive news for Kansas University.

Official headcounts taken on the 20th day of classes showed enrollment increases at only two state universities: KU and Fort Hays State University. KU’s increase was small — just 108 students or 0.4 percent — but it was accompanied by some encouraging news about this fall’s freshman class.

The size of KU’s freshman class increased for the fourth year in a row. In addition to a 2.5 percent increase in size, this year’s freshman class also boasts the highest average high school GPA and second-highest average ACT score in KU history.

Higher academic standards were a factor in a 2.5 percent enrollment decline at Kansas State University, officials there said. “We have successfully weathered the transition from virtually an open admissions school to an institution that intentionally prioritizes student success,” K-State Dean of Students Pat Bosco told Manhattan reporters. The average ACT score for K-State freshmen is 24.9, slightly below the KU freshman class average of 25.2.

The number of foreign students in KU’s freshman class was more than double last year’s, contributing to the second-highest percentage (22.3 percent) of minority students on record. The number of black students in the freshman class declined, but that was offset by increases in Hispanic and Asian students.

For a number of years, Fort Hays State has used a partner university program in China to help boost its enrollment numbers, but this year’s increases came entirely from the school’s virtual college. On-campus enrollment declined by 37 students, and enrollment in China declined by 41 students (although FHSU officials say 112 “partner” enrollments came in after the 20th-day headcount). At the same time, however, the virtual college enrollment rose by 463 — an increase that may suggest a strategy that other state universities could use to boost their enrollments.

Even a small enrollment increase puts KU ahead of most other state universities, and the higher academic record of entering freshmen bodes well for the university’s ability to boost four-year graduation rates.

Challenges remain at KU, but the enrollment and academic reports are positive signs.