Record Number of Arkansans as Enrollment Tops 32,000

Photo by Whit Pruitt

The University of Arkansas has set an enrollment record for the third-consecutive year, welcoming more than 32,000 students this fall for the first time in its history.

The 11th day census “snapshot,” required by the Division of Higher Education,  indicates overall enrollment is 32,140 (including undergraduates, graduates and law students), a 3.9% increase over the previous year. In the last five years, enrollment has seen a 15.7% increase. 

“This has been another great year for the University of Arkansas as a destination university,” said Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment and dean of admission. “We brought in the best prepared freshman class with the largest number of Arkansans in our history. The class was a little smaller than last year’s by design, but by any other measure, it’s a big class prepared to succeed.  We are excited to welcome them and all our other new and returning students to campus.”

The newest freshman class is the second-largest in school history, totaling 6,344 students, and includes a record number of Arkansas students, continuing the university’s emphasis on providing higher education access to Arkansans. This record number of Arkansans is a 5.3% increase from a year ago. Over the last five years, the number of Arkansans in the incoming class has increased by 19.5%.

In addition to the record-breaking freshman class from Arkansas, the U of A again surpassed the previous year’s record for in-state enrollment as more Arkansans are now enrolled than at any other time in the university’s history.  

The U of A is not only attracting Arkansans, but it is also a destination for students nationally and internationally. 

The numbers that are generated on the 11th day of classes will provide the enrollment “snapshot” required by the Division of Higher Education. Enrollment numbers will continue to change slightly as corrections are made and officially reported in October.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.