More foreign students are enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

University officials say the number of foreign students rose from 178 in 2006 to just under 300 this fall. That's an increase of about 40 percent in two years.

Officials say the quality of UW-La Crosse's academic programs is the main reason for the increase.

They say the growth in foreign student enrollment benefits both the university and the community. Assistant Director of International Education Hong Rost says the students contribute more than $6 million per year to the university and La Crosse community.