The 14-day enrollment period has come to a close, and the final enrollment numbers for the fall 2024 academic semester are in. 

This year, UT set a new institutional record with a student population of 38,728 — a 6.7% increase from last year. 

Despite the acceptance rate dropping below 35% in March, retention rates have set a new record for the second consecutive year, capturing a 91.9% retention rate across the university. 

Returning students have seen university growth over the past several years from campus expansion to academic successes. 

Initiatives including the guaranteed admissions program — a program that grants first-year admission to the top 10% of Tennessee high school students — led to increasing in-state enrollment. 

UT received 59,764 applications — an 18.4% increase from last year. Of those applications, 13,515 were in-state students. This led to an 11.1% increase under the addition of guaranteed admissions. 

The class of 2028 has a population of 6,804 — 4,348 being in-state residents and first-generation students making up 16.7%. 

As the university expands, so do student resources and programming. Student success efforts have had a major impact on retention rates and campus growth. Under Chancellor Donde Plowman’s tenure, UT’s retention rates have grown more than 5 percentage points since she joined UT in 2019. 

“The hands-on programming and community building efforts that we have put into place over the last several years are paying off and helping ensure our students have the confidence and the resources they need to thrive here on Rocky Top,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “I’m incredibly proud of the way everyone on campus, including faculty, staff and administration, take ownership in the success of our students.”