UA's Record In-State Enrollment Outpaces Alabama's Population Growth

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama says its in-state enrollment is outpacing the state's population growth, which marks the fifth consecutive year with an increase in-state students.

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UA on Monday announced that its record-breaking enrollment of 39,623 includes 3,184 freshmen from Alabama's 67 counties and represents every county in the state. What's more, the university said this year's enrollment includes the largest number of in-state freshmen since 2010.

"Students – and their parents – are not only drawn to UA's academic excellence but to what we refer to as the ‘Alabama Experience,'" UA President Stuart Bell said. "With over 600 student organizations, experiential learning opportunities like our remarkable entrepreneurship program, and boundless undergraduate and graduate research opportunities, students choose The University of Alabama to become well-rounded global citizens, ready to make a difference."

Indeed, UA pointed out that its enrollment is growing faster than the state’s population, rising 1.5% overall and 6.6% among first-time undergraduates.

Additionally, UA reported a record enrollment of 9,342 ethnic and racial minority students — a 9.4% increase from 2022. University leaders said this figure likely includes the highest number of under-represented minority students enrolled at any university in the state of Alabama, including an all-time high of 4,579 Black students and 2,610 Hispanic students.

"We’re proud of our enrollment numbers – for all the new students, but also for those we are helping to thrive here and persist through graduation,” Bell said. “UA is a First-Generation Forward institution, which means we have dedicated programs and resources designed to support those who are the first in their families to go to college.”

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