UTM notes an overall enrollment increase of 3.2% since fall 2018. The number of students has grown to 7,296, including both undergraduate and graduate-level students.
The graduate level and dual-enrollment programs experienced the largest amount of growth. There are 517 graduate students currently enrolled at UTM, resulting in a 37.9% increase over fall 2018. One hundred thirteen students are new to the graduate program, while 29 are readmitted or returning to the program.
Students currently enrolled in at least one dual-enrollment course throughout the region combine for a total of 1,422. Dual-enrollment courses allow high school students to take college courses and receive college credit for their work.
The freshman class continues to grow as they show a 1.5% increase over fall 2018. This number includes 1,160 first-time freshmen who began classes during summer and fall semesters. The freshman class has experienced a steady increase since 2016.
Transfer enrollment for Fall of 2019 is down from last year. Currently, there are 435 transfer students, which is a 3.7% decrease from last year’s class of 452.
However, Carver cites that transfer student enrollment is down at many schools in the region.
In September 2019, the 2020 U.S. News and World Report College Rankings ranked UTM as the top public Tennessee institution on the lists of Top Regional Universities in the South.
“I believe UTM talking to students from different high schools earlier than we have in the past helps sell the quality of our institution,” UTM Chancellor Keith Carver said. “Once students attend a SOAR session, they can really get a good feel for how welcoming and beautiful our campus really is.”
Overall university enrollment has experienced continuous growth over the past three years. There has been an increase of 591 overall students reported since fall 2016.
Freshman-to sophomore retention rates also increased 1% from 73.7% to 74.5% since fall 2018. The overall retention rate for the university is 79.2%.
Of the 2018 graduates earning a bachelor’s degree, 56.1% are reported as graduating in six years or less. With enrollment rates and freshman-sophomore retention rates steadily rising, UTM hopes to see graduation rates increase as well.
For more information, contact UTM Office of Admissions at 731-881-7020 or visit https://www.utm.edu/admis.php.
Graphic Credit/ Abril Sosa
