FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas has reported record enrollment for the fourth year in a row.
According to a release from the university, enrollment reached 33,610 students this fall semester.
The new record includes undergraduate, graduate, and law students, and is an increase of more than 1,500 students.
The U of A said that this year's freshman class is the second largest in school history, with 6,614 students marking about 500 shy of the 7,092 record set in 2022.
The enrollment report is part of a "snapshot" required by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, according to the release. The snapshot showed that enrollment increased by 4.6% over the previous year, part of a 22% increase over the last five years.
On top of the growth, university officials said this year's freshman class "is the best prepared academically of any class" in university history.
"Despite the controlled growth of the incoming class, overall enrollment has grown partially due to the university’s increasing retention rates, which have grown to 85% or above since 2020. This year’s freshman class is also the most prepared class in school history," the release said, adding that enrollment numbers may change slightly until an official report in October.
Suzanne McRay, Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions at the U of A spoke with 5NEWS about the record year.
“The University of Arkansas is excited to welcome another amazing freshman class with the highest incoming GPA ever for our campus,” McCray said.
“With other outstanding new and continuing students, they join a vibrant campus that includes a record number of Arkansans being taught here, a record for our institution and for our state. The growth now is great news for the campus as it points to a healthy future for enrollment even through projected demographic changes in the state and beyond it.”
McRay said the university has been able to keep up in terms of facilities and faculties, keeping pace with the growth.
"Well, it's always an adventure, but we have done a lot of proactive things to make sure there's plenty of space on campus for the classes that we need, that faculty are hired to make sure that we're offering the courses that students need, and so that part's been great," McCray said. "Parking is always an issue on any campus, and we're no different there, but we have Razorback Transit, which does a terrific job of getting students here to there."
McCray said students are attracted not just by the Hogs, but by strong academic programs, vibrant opportunities in the Northwest Arkansas region, and the beauty of the Natural State.
"There are many, many reasons why a student will want to come to the University of Arkansas. Some students in Arkansas have known they're going to be a Razorback since they were little. Some learn about our programs and the university through our outreach and through recruiters that we have across the country," McCray said.
While celebrating the accomplishments, McCray said the university is already gearing up for next year, with high expectations.
"We are deep into the class of 2025, the incoming class, and we know already that applications are up in every category, and we're excited about that," McCray said.
McCray explained that whether in-state or out-of-state, the University of Arkansas is open to all students.
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