The University of Iowa’s enrollment has remained steady over the past year.

A total of 4,565 freshman arrived on campus this fall, eight more than last year. The school’s enrollment also increased to 30,893, an increase of 68 students from last year.

University officials said the incoming class of 2015 is more diverse than ever.

Last year, the number of international first-time students was 388. This fall, the increase to 484 first-time students is a record. This number represents 10.6 percent of the freshman class.

Michael Barron, the UI assistant provost of Admissions, said having a diverse faculty, staff, and students has been a consistent core value.

“Being a more diverse community means that we provide a living/learning environment that more closely mirrors the world in which our graduates will live and work,” Barron said.

There is also a general, steady increase in first generation students from rural areas.

Georgina Dodge, the UI chief diversity officer, said the increase in diversity is gives the university a good value, not only monetarily but also with the quality of education.

“We have lots to offer as a university, and we want to match that with a wide variety of students,” she said.

Diversity is a valuable key to have in an institution, she said, and the UI will continue to strive for it.

— by Jordyn Reiland