SALT LAKE CITY -- Enrollment at Utah's colleges and universities is up by about 8 1/2 percent.

According to the Utah System of Higher Education, enrollment for the 2008 fall semester was up by 11,896 students.

State Commissioner of Higher Education William Sederburg says the slow economy has lead to the increase. He says when there are fewer job opportunities, people often go back to school.

The Utah System of Higher Education includes nine of its 10 public colleges and universities in its enrollment summary.