Knoxville, September 9, 2025

News Summary

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has welcomed over 40,000 students for the fall semester, surpassing last year’s enrollment numbers. The new freshman class includes over 7,100 students from nearly 63,000 applications, with a strong emphasis on retaining first-year students and expanding transfer admissions. The university maintains a robust financial outlook while providing significant scholarship and financial aid opportunities, enhancing its commitment to accessibility and community engagement.

Knoxville

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) began its fall semester on August 18, 2025, welcoming a record-breaking enrollment of over 40,000 students, surpassing last year’s numbers of over 36,000. This growth reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to education and community engagement.

The final tally of student enrollment will be confirmed after the 14th day of classes, offering a clearer picture of the campus’s population. Moreover, the university anticipates that the first-year retention rate will meet or exceed 91.9%, indicating a strong likelihood of first-year students returning for their sophomore year.

This year’s new freshman class welcomes over 7,100 students, who were selected from nearly 63,000 applications. Notably, 60% of these incoming students hail from Tennessee, allowing a representative mix of individuals from all 95 counties in the state, as well as from 46 other states, the D.C. area, and 33 different countries.

In addition to first-year students, UTK saw a surge in transfer applications, receiving over 5,300 applications and admitting more than 1,600 transfer students this fall. This expansion aims to enrich the academic community and diversify the experiences available to the student body.

The financial outlook for the University of Tennessee System remains robust, with total tuition and fee revenues increasing by 8.2%, amounting to $91 million. System-wide enrollments are expected to rise by 4.5%, reinforcing the institution’s growth trajectory.

Assistance for new students is notable, as 94% of the Class of 2029 is receiving scholarships or financial aid. Notably, almost 95% of in-state first-year applicants were offered scholarships, thanks in part to the newly implemented UT Promise scholarship, which provides last-dollar financial support for Tennessee residents.

UTK has not raised tuition for in-state students this year, while other UT campuses will see an increase of 2-3%. This decision is part of the university’s strategy to remain accessible to its local student population.

In alignment with its growing community, UTK has initiated significant campus improvements, including the construction of two new residence halls, Poplar and Beacon, which will accommodate 1,959 students. Further renovations include enhancements to Volunteer Hall’s dining area and the introduction of the new Cumberland Food Hall, set to open later this semester.

In a testament to student satisfaction, UTK recorded a first-year retention rate of 92.4%, marking a substantial increase from the 86.5% rate reported in 2019. This upward trend indicates the effectiveness of support services and engagement strategies implemented by the university.

Chancellor Donde Plowman has ambitious goals, targeting an enrollment of 55,000 students by 2030. Plans include increasing online program offerings in collaboration with Arizona State University, aimed at attracting a diverse array of learners to UTK.

Upcoming construction projects will enhance academic facilities, including a new Chemistry Building, and additional resources for the Haslam College of Business and Division of Student Success. These developments are poised to provide students with improved learning environments and foster innovation.

FAQ

Chart Overview: Key Features of UTK’s Fall 2025 Enrollment

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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UTC Breaks Ground on New Oak Street Residence Hall
University of Tennessee Knoxville Opens Applications for Fall 2026
UT Knoxville and UTC Expand Student Housing Facilities
UT Chancellor Addresses DEI Program Allegations
UT Chancellor Denies Concealment of DEI Programs

Additional Resources

• Knox News: University of Tennessee Breaks Enrollment Record
• WATE: University of Tennessee Begins Fall Semester with Record Enrollment
• Times Free Press: UTC Enrollment Surpasses 12,000
• WBIR: University of Tennessee Record Enrollment Fall 2025
• Wikipedia: University of Tennessee

Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

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