Despite increased tuition costs ,the University reeled in its biggest freshman class since it added admission standards in 1988.

The class comprises 5,725 new students, according to the Office of Budget and Planning. The previous largest freshman class had 5,700 students in 2004. In fall 2011, there were 5,290 new freshmen.

The University’s total enrollment this year is 29,549  — 2 percent more than the 28,985 students enrolled last fall. The University expected only a 200-student increase for the fall, but wound up with 564 more.

Undergraduate enrollment increased by about 3 percent, going from 23,980 in 2011 to 24,641 in 2012.

In July, the University announced a 10 percent in-state tuition increase and a 15 percent out-of-state tuition increase.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management David Kurpius said interest in the University is growing although tuition has increased.

“The interest in LSU has never been higher and even with recent tuition increases, LSU remains an affordable option for students to earn a nationally recognized degree,” he said.

Since the University has a larger freshman class than usual, and students are paying increased tuition, the extra money is plugging a $33.5 million budget deficit.

Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins said in a statement the University will strive to provide the best educational services it can.

“LSU’s faculty and staff, along with numerous programs and services, are available to assist students to make sure they are successful in their educationa endeavors,” he said. “We will make every effort to retain these students and see them successfully complete their degrees at LSU.”

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences remains the largest undergraduate college after the University Center for Freshman Year.

While undergraduate enrollment increased, graduate numbers decreased slightly from 4,604 in fall 2011 to 4,525 this fall.