FARGO (AP) - North Dakota State University says its first-day enrollment is 13,855 students, 7.6 percent higher than last year.

Vice President Prakash Mathew says an increase in student retention, transfer students and a higher number of international, graduate and Minnesota students are among the reasons.

The school's official fall semester enrollment will be announced Sept. 22.

In Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota reports 12,470 students, a 1.6 percent increase over last year's first-day enrollment of 12,276. Spokesman Peter Johnson said that number is expected to go up before the official tally is taken during the fourth week of classes.

Valley City State University officials are cautious about figures showing a 10 percent first-day enrollment increase - from 915 students last year to 1,007 students this year. Spokesman Doug Anderson said officials put more emphasis on registering early, to get students to return after spring flooding.