Strong retention rates and growing demand from applicants have helped the University of Tennessee at Knoxville build its largest class yet.
Since classes began Aug. 17, UT has enrolled 41,287 students across its on-campus and online programs. The finalized tally, announced Sept. 9, includes 7,205 first-year students in the Class of 2030, the largest freshman class in university history. Those first-year students come from 94 of Tennessee's 95 counties, 46 states and Washington, D.C., and 26 countries.
As enrollment grows, administrators have prioritized recruiting students from Tennessee. Sixty percent of first-year students are from the Volunteer State.
UT's enrollment increase is partially due to administrators making the retention rate a universitywide
priority, driven by the Division of Student Success under Vice Provost Amber Williams. UT broke a record again this year with 93.1% of first-year students returning for their sophomore year.
“When you truly believe in students and back that belief with authentic, intentional support, they do not simply persist, they thrive,” Williams said in a news release. “These historic milestones are a direct reflection of our student scholars’ courage and the dedication of our faculty and staff.
"Every single day, our campus community shows up to make sure our Volunteers feel valued and equipped to reach their highest potential. This success belongs to our entire campus family, and it shows what is possible when we invest completely in our scholars’ futures.”
University of Tennessee breaks application and enrollment records
Success at the university translates to success for the state as a whole, Chancellor Donde Plowman often says.
“Graduating more students and doing so faster than ever is among our greatest successes as the state’s flagship public university,” Plowman said in a news release. “For our students, graduating in four years means their degrees cost less and their careers start earlier. For our state, it means a growing pool of talent and future leadership. None of this is possible without the collaborative work and dedication of everyone across the university, especially our students.”
The university broke other records this year:
- UT received nearly 70,000 first-year applications. That includes a 2.3% increase in Tennessee applicants, according to UT spokeswoman Tyra Haag.
- UT received nearly 5,700 transfer applications, with an 18.8% increase in Tennessee applicants. The total transfer class is 2,057 students, including 1,414 in-state transfers.
- The four-year graduation rate reached a record high of 71.4%, which is up 4.6% compared to last year. The six-year graduation rate reached 76.6%, an increase compared to last year, according to Haag.
- UT welcomed a record 742 first-year students as University Honors scholars, who are recognized for their high academic potential based on their high school success. The growth adds to Plowman'sgoals.
Students living on campus had a new option this year with the opening of Torchbearer Hall, which can house 1,024 students. The dormitory was built through a public-private partnership that UT plans to use for building three moredorms.
While enrollment reaches new highs, UT's acceptance rate has dropped from 85% in 2021 to around 50% in 2026, even as the university is admitting more students than ever. The rate has plummeted as tens of thousands of students, mostly from outside of Tennessee, are submitting applications in record numbers.
Administrators have said their mission is to keep the university accessible to in-state students even as popularity expands.
University of Tennessee takes another major step toward 2030 enrollment goal
The finalized enrollment numbers are a big leap toward meeting Plowman's growth goals for the state's flagship campus. She aims to enroll 55,000 at UT in 2030, including 14,000 students online through a strategic partnership with Arizona State University.
UT is in the midst of several on-campus construction projects to accommodate that growth, including new buildings for the Haslam College of Business and for the Division of Student Success. Both are scheduled to open next year.
The university also broke ground on the new Chemistry Building last year and will begin working on the new Neyland Entertainment District soon.
Keenan Thomas is the higher education reporter for Knox News. Email: keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee enrolls largest class with a big emphasis on retention
