Albany State University, Darton State College 2016 fall enrollment numbers plummet

ALBANY — Just weeks away from finalizing the consolidation of Albany State University and Darton State College, both schools have seen their 2016 fall semester enrollment numbers plummet by one-fifth compared to fall semester 2015.

The University System of Georgia on Wednesday released the system’s fall 2016 enrollment figures, which saw Albany State’s enrollment number drop 12.9 percent, from 3,492 in 2015 to 3,041 this year.

Darton had the system’s biggest decline at 24.7 percent, from 5,471 in fall 2015 to 4,120 this year.

Combined, the two institutions lost 1,802 students, or 20.1 percent, from the previous fall’s enrollment.

This story is developing.