The student population at a university dropped from 8,500 to 8245 in one year. Determine the percent decrease over the year.

3 percent decrease.

Let the consistent percentage be 'x.'

Then,

x % of 8500 = 8245
x/100*8500 = 8245
x/100 = 97/100
x = 97%

From above, we can find out that 97% of the students remained. Subtracting 97% from total, 3% left the university.