University of Wisconsin System enrollment increased 2.1% increase at its 26 campuses this fall, to a record high of 173,313 undergraduates and graduates, according to a report the Board of Regents plans to review Friday.

The biggest increase - both in percentage and number--was at UW-Milwaukee, which added more than 1,000 students, roughly half of whom were freshmen.

Provost Rita Cheng said part of that growth is due to an increase in the number of students coming to UWM from other counties and out of state. The number of UWM freshmen who were not Wisconsin residents nearly doubled to 179 this year.

"Many students like the big-city experience," she said. "We're big but not overwhelming, and there's increasing awareness that UWM has many quality programs."