University of Tennessee Celebrates Five Years of Record Enrollment

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— At a time when national college enrollment figures are experiencing a decline, the University of Tennessee (UT) System has defied the trend, with five consecutive years of record enrollments. The official results were revealed at today’s UT Board of Trustees Executive Committee meeting.

The flagship campus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville reported a 6.7% increase in enrollment (38,728 students enrolled). UT Knoxville is enjoying a record-setting semester, with 59,762 first-year applications received, including an 11.2% increase in in-state applications.

UT Southern, the newest campus in the university system, achieved an extraordinary 7% increase in enrollment (1,046 enrolled). Since joining the UT System in 2021, UT Southern enrollment has grown 19.4%, reflecting the campus’s expanding influence and commitment to providing high-quality education in the southern middle Tennessee region. UT Martin saw an 8% increase (7,499 students enrolled), while UT Chattanooga saw growth of 4% (11,834 students enrolled).

Retention rates are also on the rise, with UT Knoxville leading the way with a record-breaking 91.9%. UT Southern reported a retention rate of 77.2%, while UT Martin is at 77%. UT Chattanooga’s retention rate stands at 71.9%,

“These numbers are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff, who continue to deliver an exceptional education that attracts students from all over,” UT System President Randy Boyd said.

This enrollment surge across the UT System not only reflects the institution’s growing reputation but also underscores the effectiveness of strategic initiatives aimed at increasing access and affordability. This includes initiatives such as guaranteed admissions for top-performing Tennessee high school students, so that students and families can plan their college experience with greater confidence and certainty. Additionally, through the UT Promise undergraduate scholarship program, more than two-thirds of Tennessee high school seniors can qualify to attend any UT campus free of tuition and mandatory fees.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 100 institutions of higher education closed between the 2022–23 and 2023–24 academic years.

“As we continue building the greatest decade in UT history, our enrollment growth, despite the challenges facing higher education nationwide, reflects our strong commitment to making a difference in the lives of our students and the communities we serve,” Boyd said.

About the University of Tennessee System

The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service. The UT System manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through its UT-Battelle partnership; enrolls about 58,000 students statewide; produces about 13,000 new graduates every year; and represents more than 445,000 alumni around the world.