The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is reporting record enrollment and improved student retention as the university begins the 2026-27 academic year.
New enrollment data finalized on the 14th day of the fall semester shows UT’s first-year retention rate climbed for the fourth consecutive year. According to the university, 93.1% of first-year students returned for their sophomore year.
Graduation rates also reached new highs. UT reported that 71.4% of students are now graduating within four years, an increase of 4.6 percentage points from last year and the sixth consecutive year in which the university’s graduation rate has improved.
“Graduating more students and doing so faster than ever is among our greatest successes as the state’s flagship public university,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said. “For our students, graduating in four years means their degrees cost less and their careers start earlier. For our state, it means a growing pool of talent and future leadership.”
Overall enrollment reached a university-record 41,287 students this fall, up 2.1% from last year. University officials credited student-support programs and UT’s broader enrollment strategy with helping more students remain in school and progress toward graduation.
UT also received nearly 70,000 applications from prospective first-year students for the 2026-27 academic year, another university record. The school’s strategic enrollment plan calls for expanding undergraduate, graduate and online enrollment while increasing access and preparing students for Tennessee’s workforce needs.
The university welcomed 7,205 first-year students this fall, the largest freshman class in UT history. About 60% are Tennessee residents, with students representing 94 of the state’s 95 counties. The class also includes students from 46 states, the District of Columbia and 26 countries.
More than 16% of incoming students are first-generation college students, while a record 742 freshmen entered as University Honors scholars. UT said 97.7% of first-year students are receiving some form of scholarship or financial aid. The university also reported records of 80 incoming Army ROTC cadets and 82 Air Force ROTC cadets.
Transfer enrollment is also growing. UT enrolled 2,057 transfer students this fall, including approximately 1,414 from Tennessee. The university received nearly 5,700 transfer applications, with applications from Tennessee residents increasing 18.8%.
University officials said the enrollment and retention figures come as UT continues investing in campus facilities, student programs and fundraising initiatives.
“Fulfilling the university’s access mission and creating more pathways to a UT education are foundational elements of our work in enrollment management,” Senior Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Kari Alldredge said. “UT’s first-year class, transfer students and online learners are proof that becoming a Volunteer for life can begin at any point in a student’s academic journey.”
