University of Tennessee in 2024 once again welcomes a record-breaking number of students

School is in session for the University of Tennessee at Knoxville's largest class yet. The growing university once again broke its enrollment record.

UT Knoxville has an estimated enrollment of over 37,000. The number will be finalized on the 14th day of classes, but this is already a new record for the university, smashing the record set last year .

The record-breaking enrollment is due in part to the record-breaking retention rate expected to be over 91%. Coupled with a class of over 6,700 first-year students, UT Knoxville is poised to keep expanding.

“We are so excited to welcome the Class of 2028 to Rocky Top and the start of their college journey,” Senior Vice Chancellor and Provost John Zomchick said in a press release. “From day one of their arrival to the moment they cross the stage at graduation, UT is dedicated to providing them with the resources they need to succeed. We have designed extensive programming to equip all Volunteers with the tools that they need to excel both in and outside the classroom. We are committed to fostering a campus where all thrive.”

Enrollment growth comes with a looming " enrollment cliff " coming in the next few years when the total population of 18-year-olds begins to decline, which includes the population of college going individuals. But UT isn't worried, as the flagship Knoxville campus aims to grow enrollment to 41,000 by 2030.

University of Tennessee enrollment for fall 2024

• The class of 2028 is estimated to have over 6,700 students, which is more than last year's 6,694 but less than 2022's first-year class at 6,846.

• UT is welcoming 1,400 transfer students, including more than 1,100 coming from Tennessee, an in-state increase of 4.5% from last fall. UT also saw a record in fall transfer applications with more than 5,100, a 9% increase.
• This year, UT welcomes around 30,300 returning, graduate and transfer students.
• UT received over 59,000 applications, breaking another record. UT saw an 11% increase in in-state applications this year.
• UT also will welcome this fall the third class of Distinguished Tennessean Scholars , which awards one high school senior from every county a full ride.

UT Knoxville 2024 freshmen class by the numbers

• More than 4,500 come from Tennessee for a 17% increase in in-state, first-year students compared to last year
• Over 16% of incoming students are first-generation college students
• About 65 first-year students will be Army ROTC cadets and about 53 will be Air Force ROTC cadets

Where is the UT Knoxville class of 2028 from?

• 93 of 95 Tennessee counties
• 48 states plus the District of Columbia
• 38 countries

Scholarships for the UT Knoxville class of 2028

• 96% of first-year students are receiving scholarships or financial aid
• More than 95% of in-state first-year applicants offered pathway to education through programs like Vol Access Collaborative

Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real .

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee in 2024 once again welcomes a record-breaking number of students