The number of students enrolled at Northern Illinois University has dipped slightly, but retention rates are improving.

Reports indicate the university released its 10-day enrollment count for the academic year on Wednesday.

The university reported an enrollment of 20,130 students, a decrease of about 2.3 percent from last year.

NIU President Doug Baker says: "We are not where we want to be, but there are encouraging signs of progress."

The one-year retention rate for last year's freshmen increased 1 percentage point, to 72 percent.

Baker says the university also has been recruiting higher-achieving students. He says this year's freshman class has better numbers on all key indicators, including grade point average, ACT score and class rank.

NIU also has seen a marked increase in international student enrollment.