MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A shift in demographics and competition for students from online and for-profit universities is said to be the reason enrollments are dropping on many of the University of Wisconsin System campuses.

The biggest drop was six percent at UW-River Falls. At UW-Milwaukee the enrollment is off 2-point-4 percent.

A spokesman for the system says birth rates started to decline in Wisconsin about 17 or 18 years, so the decline was anticipated.

Officials say they know smaller numbers of high school seniors graduating means competition among colleges will get stronger.