UT Knoxville Sees Record-Breaking Retention, Graduation Rates

Newly released data shows that the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is celebrating another historic year in student success and record enrollment, thanks in large part to the innovative and holistic student programs that have made the university a national leader.

For the second straight year, UT has posted a record retention rate, with 91.9% of first-year students returning for their sophomore year. UT's success in returning students and keeping them on track to graduate has been a major driver of the university's enrollment growth, which hit 38,728 students, a 6.7% increase and institutional record.

"The hands-on programming and community building efforts that we have put into place over the last several years are paying off and helping ensure our students have the confidence and the resources they need to thrive here on Rocky Top," said Chancellor Donde Plowman. "I'm incredibly proud of the way everyone on campus, including faculty, staff and administration, take ownership in the success of our students."

The enrollment data, which was finalized on the 14th day of the semester, shows an increase in both undergraduate and graduate students, at nearly 6% and 10% growth, respectively.

This is the fourth consecutive year UT has improved graduation rates, hitting a new high of 74% of students graduating in six years, which is the standard duration for reporting to federal and state agencies. UT's four-year graduation rate also improved to a record 62%.

Becoming a Vol

UT set another record with 59,764 first-year applications-an 18.4% increase overall. That total includes 13,515 in-state applications, an 11.1% increase.

Some of the final numbers for the Class of 2028:

• A record 4,348 students from Tennessee are among this year's 6,804 first-year students, representing an in-state increase of 13% from last year's incoming class.
• First-year students hail from 93 Tennessee counties, 48 states plus the District of Columbia, and 36 countries.
• First-generation college students make up 16.7% of incoming students.
• A record 65 first-year students are becoming Army ROTC cadets.
• A total of 53 first-year students are becoming Air Force ROTC cadets.

Prioritizing Student Success

Student success outcomes have been steadily improving over the last five years. When Plowman arrived on campus in 2019, she identified improving graduation rates as an institutional priority. In her first year she established the Division of Student Success.

Since then, UT has improved retention rates more than 5 percentage points from the 86.5% rate when she first became chancellor. The four-year graduation rate has improved nearly 10 percentage points from 53.8%.

The division has implemented both broad initiatives that benefit all students and targeted programming for student populations that benefit the most from tailored support, such as veterans and first-generation students.

The university has also continued its strengths-based approach to helping students with leadership, academic and professional development during their time on campus. Students take a strengths assessment in their first semester and receive mentoring on how to leverage their strengths to help them succeed. According to Gallup, the creator of the CliftonStrengths assessment, those who identify and develop their strengths are 12% more productive and six times more likely to be engaged in their jobs.

Promoting Student Well-Being and Career Readiness

Over the past five years, UT has taken many steps to help all students thrive, with the goal of increasing undergraduate student persistence and graduation rates, closing achievement gaps and bolstering post-graduation career outcomes. The Volunteer experience provides students with the right opportunities to enhance their well-being while also preparing for a global workforce.

Central to UT's strategic vision, the Volunteer experience is a comprehensive university-wide approach to promoting student well-being and career readiness in all aspects of a student's experience. It is both a culture and culminating experience designed to help students thrive. The initiative includes three interrelated strategic investments: targeted academic initiatives, deep student engagement and transformational student experiences.

Along with nationally competitive enrollment and retention rates, UT has experienced a record fundraising year and the best year of competitive results in its athletics history, showcasing why there has never been a better time to be a Volunteer.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, [email protected])

Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, [email protected])

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