The University of Michigan set another enrollment record this fall, reaching 54,181 students even as combined enrollment at Michigan’s public universities fell by more than 5,000.

Preliminary data from the Michigan Association of State Universities shows combined enrollment at the state's 15 public universities fell 2% to 254,107 students. That marks the first decline after three years of essentially flat numbers. Bridge Michigan reported the statewide figures on Thursday, Oct. 22.

U-M was one of only three schools that didn't shrink. The Ann Arbor campus grew about 1%, adding 693 students over last year's 53,488. U-M-Flint grew about 2% to 7,258 students, and Wayne State University held essentially flat at 24,182.

Growth in undergraduate enrollment more than offset a decline in graduate students. U-M's undergraduate enrollment jumped nearly 4.5% to 36,945, according to the university’s enrollment announcement. First-year students rose 6%, from 8,178 to 8,659. New transfer students climbed 12% to 1,722.

Graduate enrollment told a different story. U-M's graduate headcount dropped from 18,130 to 17,236. International graduate students fell 12.7% to 4,784, according to the university.

Mike Solomon, vice provost for academic affairs — graduate studies and dean of Rackham Graduate School, said changes in federal funding and uncertainty over U.S. immigration policy have likely contributed to the graduate decline over the past two years, according to the university announcement.

Dan Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities, pointed to two forces behind the statewide drop: a shrinking pool of Michigan high school graduates and federal policies that have turned away international students. Hurley told Bridge Michigan that Trump administration policies, including travel restrictions and scrutiny of students’ social media, were contributing to the decline.

"The graduate student headcount is a direct reflection of federal policy as it involves international student visas and it's particularly frustrating," Hurley told Bridge.

Next year will mark the 20th year of Michigan's diminishing high school pipeline, Hurley said. State scholarships, including the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, have helped cushion the blow, he told Bridge.

The hardest-hit schools were smaller and regional. Lake Superior State University lost about 14% of its students, falling from 1,440 to 1,232. Eastern Michigan University and Northern Michigan University each dropped roughly 6%. Michigan State University, the state's second-largest school, lost nearly 2%, falling from 51,838 to 50,941.

At U-M, more than 5,000 incoming students are Michigan residents, representing 78 of the state's 83 counties. More than 1,500 in the incoming class are the first in their families to attend a university, according to the university.

The statewide association’s report is preliminary. U-M said its final enrollment figures reflect the Sept. 21 census date.