Enrollment is at an all-time high at California University of Pennsylvania, with a fall head-count of 8,519 students.

The 3.8 per cent increase marks the 11th consecutive year of rising enrollment. There are 7,039 full-time and 1,480 part-time students.

Cal U's enrollment has increased by nearly 47 percent since 1998, when the head count was 5,800, officials report.

The enrollment numbers at the school in California, Pa., mirrors what is going on at the 14 state-owned schools.

"We have had increased enrollment for 11 years in a row and had record enrollment for six years in a row," said Kenn Marshall, spokesman for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. "Last year, nine of the schools, including Cal U, had record enrollments."

In the fall of 2007, there were 110,428 students enrolled in the 14 schools. The number in 1997 was 94,237. Figures for fall 2008 will not be available until mid-October, when another enrollment increase is expected, Mr. Marshall said.

"I'm sure cost is a factor," Mr. Marshall said. The state-owned schools offer "low cost and high quality education. We are no longer viewed as primarily 'teachers colleges.' Accredited courses and programs have been added at all of the campuses over the years."

Costs for tuition and room and board can be quickly accessed at www.collegeboard.com -- a veritable Bible for college-bound students and their parents.

Here are some comparisons of yearly costs:

At Cal U, in-state tuition is $7,315 and room and board is $8,886.

Costs for Slippery Rock University, another state-owned schools are similar: Tuition is $7,026 for Pennsylvania residents and room and board is $8,066.

At many private colleges and universities, tuition, room and board are currently in the $46,000 to $50,000 per year range.

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh charges $39,564 for tuition and $10,050 for room and board.

At Point Park University in Pittsburgh, tuition is $20,570 and room and board is $8,940.

A number of factors have contributed to Cal U's enrollment success, said William Edmonds, dean of admissions. That includes new programs, a steady increase in faculty with doctorates, campus enhancements including new dorms, and "high satisfaction among students currently attending."

University president Angelo Armenti Jr. said the enrollment increases have occurred "in tandem with a consistent rise in admissions standards."

Students' average SAT scores have climbed more than 100 points since 1992 -- from 915 to 1020. The number of applications from prospective students has also been increasing. Currently about 64 percent of applicants are accepted.

During the last 14 years Cal U has invested $210 million in capital improvements to attract and retain students, Mr. Marshall said. More than half of that -- $121 million -- has been spent on six new residence halls that have been filled to capacity since they opened. All of the old dorms were torn down.

A total of 1,490 students live in those six dorms. Another 762 students live in a residence hall that is owned and managed by a private firm.

Increasing enrollment and new buildings have created a campus parking crunch. University officials have approved a bond issue, not to exceed $20 million, to provide more parking.

About 400 parking spaces will be eliminated when the $50 million convocation center is built. Construction will start in the spring of 2009 and be completed by the fall of 2011.

The convocation center will include 10 classrooms as well as athletic facilities and recreation space that also will be available to the community.

Parking plans include construction of a garage behind Manderino Library, expansion of the Gallagher parking lot and construction of a 702-vehicle parking lot behind the stadium at Cal U's Roadman Park. All parking and lots will open no later than fall 2010.