For the sixth consecutive year, the University of Tennessee System has achieved enrollment growth, welcoming 65,618 students this fall and reaching a new systemwide enrollment high.
The fall 2026 enrollment represents a 1.2% increase over last year’s total of 64,866 students and an increase of 17.1% over the past five years. The growth comes as Tennesseans report increasing confidence in both the University of Tennessee and the value of a four-year degree.
A new statewide public opinion survey conducted on behalf of the UT System found that 82% of Tennesseans have a positive opinion of UT, up from 76% last year. Seventy-two percent also said a four-year degree from a Tennessee public college or university is worth the investment, up from 59% in 2025.
“Across Tennessee, people are telling us that they believe in the value of a college degree and in the University of Tennessee,” UT System President Randy Boyd said. “This enrollment growth shows that confidence is translating into action. Students and families are choosing UT because they see the opportunity a degree can create and the value of an education that prepares them for the future.”
Fall 2026 enrollment highlights include:
UT Knoxville
- Total enrollment: 41,287 students (up 2.1%)
- First-year enrollment: A record 7,205 students
- First-year retention: 93.1%, a university record
- Four-year graduation rate: 71.4%, a university record and up 4.6% from last year
- Financial aid: 97.7% of first-year students are receiving some form of scholarship or financial aid
UT Chattanooga
- Total enrollment: 11,809 students (down 2.1%), second-highest in university history
- Graduate enrollment: 1,749 students (up 5.1%), a university record
- Doctoral enrollment: 571 students, a university record
- Students represent 93 Tennessee counties, 45 states and 52 countries
UT Southern
- Total enrollment: 1,110 students (down 1.9%)
- First-year enrollment: 199, up 15.7% from fall 2025
- Average high school GPA for new first-year students: 3.53, a university record
- Overall undergraduate retention: 79%
UT Martin
- Total enrollment: 8,245 (up 1.8%)
- Highest enrollment since 2010, second-highest fall enrollment in university history
- First-year enrollment: 1,169
- New graduate students: 237
- Dual enrollment students: 2,373
UT Health Sciences
- Total enrollment: 3,167 students (up 0.3%)
- Total undergraduate students: 438 (up 9.8%)
- More than 70% of students are from Tennessee
Enrollment growth and continued student success reflect the work happening across UT campuses to provide students with high-quality academic programs, opportunities to succeed and pathways to careers.
“Graduating more students and doing so faster than ever is among our greatest successes as the state’s flagship public university,” said UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman. “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. None of this is possible without the collaborative work and dedication of everyone across the university, especially our students.”
“Our enrollment numbers show that the momentum at UTC continues,” said UT Chattanooga Chancellor Lori Bruce. “We are especially excited to see another record for graduate enrollment, and I think many people will be surprised to learn just how many professional and research doctoral students we have on our campus. These students are an important part of our growing research enterprise, and the impact UTC is having in Chattanooga, across Tennessee and beyond.”
“This fall, overall enrollment has remained steady as the academic preparedness of UT Southern students continues to increase,” said UT Southern Chancellor Melinda Arnold. “We welcomed a first-year class with an average GPA above 3.5, which reflects the value families across southern Middle Tennessee place in a University of Tennessee education, right here in Pulaski.”
“These consecutive years of enrollment growth have happened through the hard work and dedication of many people,” said UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman. “Students choose to attend UT Martin for many reasons, and we will continue providing the highest-possible educational experience that prepares our graduates to be productive members in the workforce and good citizens in a changing world. This new enrollment total represents another important step toward our goal of reaching 10,000 students and continuing UT Martin’s positive momentum.”
“We are thrilled the momentum at UT Health Sciences is increasingly recognized by students looking for the best place to prepare for a career in healthcare,” said UT Health Sciences Chancellor Peter Buckley. “With our new $350 million College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building, our highly ranked research enterprise, our opportunities for excellent clinical training at partner hospitals across the state and our rapidly growing community outreach, UT Health Sciences is a perfect fit for students who desire to make a difference and share in our vision for healthy Tennesseans and thriving communities.”
For more information about UT’s campuses, academic programs and opportunities for students, visit the UT System campus guide.
