Youngstown State University reported on Tuesday what officials characterize as a significant increase in new students this past Fall semester, raising enrollment at YSU for the first time in five years.

The university reported that there are 12,361 students enrolled this Spring semester, up 0.33 percent or 41 students from last Spring semester.

It's YSU's first semester-to-semester enrollment increase since Spring 2011, according to a news release from the University.

Gary Swegan, associate vice president for Enrollment Planning and Management, said the university also expects enrollment to increase this coming Fall semester. Fall semester enrollment has been on the decline since 2010.

While total enrollment was down 0.7 percent this past Fall semester, the university experienced a 13.5 percent increase in the number of freshmen, a 20 percent increase in the number of new students (freshmen, transfer, graduate and dual enrollment students) and a significant increase in freshman-to-sophomore retention. The university also reported a freshman class with more out-of-state students, minority students and honor students.

Swegan says students are being attracted by a combination of YSU's wide-range of nationally-accredited programs and tuition which is among Ohio's largest public comprehensive universities.