Knoxville, Tennessee, September 10, 2025

News Summary

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has achieved a record enrollment of over 40,000 students for the fall semester, surpassing last year’s figures. The incoming first-year class includes more than 7,100 students, with 60% coming from Tennessee. The university’s retention rate for first-year students stands at 91.9%, alongside increases in graduation rates. In response to the growing student body, new housing developments have been completed, and future goals include reaching a total of 41,000 on-campus students by 2030.

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE — Record Enrollment at University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UT) has reported a record-breaking enrollment for the fall semester, which commenced on August 18. This year, the university welcomed over 40,000 students, surpassing last year’s enrollment figure of more than 36,000. The official final enrollment figure will be confirmed after the 14th day of class.

The incoming first-year class consists of more than 7,100 students selected from nearly 63,000 applications, marking the largest cohort in UT’s history. Notably, 60% of the new freshmen hail from the state of Tennessee, further emphasizing the university’s strong support from local communities.

The university also achieved an exceptional 91.9% retention rate for first-year students, with projections to either meet or exceed this impressive statistic. This growth in enrollment is paralleled by an increase in its four-year graduation rate, now at a record high of 67%, alongside a six-year graduation rate of 75%.

For the current academic year, UT experienced a 5.1% increase in first-year applications compared to last year, accompanied by a record number of over 5,300 transfer applications. Furthermore, nearly 15% of incoming students are first-generation college attendees, indicating a widening access to higher education.

Housing Developments to Meet Demand

In response to the growing student body, new residence halls were opened before the semester’s start to accommodate nearly 2,000 students. The “Hub Knoxville” housing development located along Cumberland Avenue welcomed its first residents this fall, with plans for additional buildings in the pipeline to serve the expanding population.

Future Enrollment Goals

With these developments, the university aims for an ambitious enrollment target of reaching 41,000 students on-campus by the year 2030, and an additional 14,000 students participating in online programs.

University Leadership’s Emphasis on Student Experience

The focus of UT’s leadership remains on enhancing the student experience, ensuring that both new and returning students receive the support and resources needed for academic success and personal growth.

Conclusion

As the University of Tennessee at Knoxville begins this academic year, its record enrollment reflects not only a commitment to academic excellence but also a dedication to providing students with the necessary environment to thrive in their educational pursuits.

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Additional Resources

• WATE: University of Tennessee Begins 2025 Fall Semester with Record Enrollment
• Knox News: University of Tennessee Breaks Enrollment Record with 40,000 Students
• WBIR: UT Retention Rates and Record Enrollment for Class of 2029
• Wikipedia: University of Tennessee
• Google Search: University of Tennessee Enrollment 2025

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