Fall enrollment at Iowa State has declined for the third straight year.

According to data released Wednesday by the Office of the Registrar, total enrollment dropped to less than 26,000 for fall 2005, a decline of more than 600 students, or 2.5 percent, since fall 2004. This year’s decline, however, was more moderate than last year’s, which saw a drop of 1,000 students, or 3.9 percent.

Although total enrollment dropped, minority enrollment rose this fall by 3.3 percent to more than 2,100 students, or approximately 8 percent of the student body. International student enrollment fell by nearly 9 percent since last fall, though, to 2,108.

Kathy Jones, assistant vice president for records and registration, could not be reached for comment.