High-Achieving Freshman Class, Graduate School Growth Highlight UA Enrollment

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A talented freshman class that includes more than 180 incoming National Merit Scholars headlines The University of Alabama’s enrollment numbers for fall 2018.

UA’s total enrollment reached 38,392 in 2018.

“Outstanding students from across this state and around the nation continue to choose The University of Alabama as their college home,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “We have another exceptional class entering this year, and we’re eager to see the significant impacts these young scholars will make.”

Approximately 40 percent of the UA freshman class scored 30 or higher on the ACT, and more than 36 percent were in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class. The entering class carries an average high school grade-point average of 3.71, with more than 34 percent having a high school GPA of 4.0 or higher. The class’s average ACT is 27.

The 187 National Merit Scholars is expected to be among the highest in the nation and is higher than UA’s average of 144 over the last 10 years.

UA’s student body represents all counties in Alabama, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 78 countries.

“We have outstanding faculty and staff, our scholarships remain competitive, and we continue to invest in facilities to support future enrollment growth,” Bell said.

Since 2015, 18 new buildings have been constructed on The University of Alabama’s campus, totaling more than 1.5 million square feet. The new construction represents a total project value of more than $279 million.

Additionally, there have been 17 major renovations and additions, resulting in more than 190,000 additional square feet with a total project value of more than $178 million.

UA recently opened a completely renovated dining hall, with a seating capacity of 780, and a fully transformed 65,546-square-foot building for engineering students, along with a new freshman residence hall that houses about 500 students and a 1,450-space parking deck.

In recent years, UA increased its focus on recruiting graduate and transfer students, and both groups saw upticks over last year. The number of UA graduate students grew by about 3 percent while the number of transfer students grew by more than 1 percent. The number of international students grew by almost 5 percent.

“Our ability to attract, retain and graduate exceptional students, both undergraduates and graduates, is a tribute to our superb faculty and staff, our alumni and all those who support The University of Alabama,” said Dr. Kevin Whitaker, UA executive vice president and provost.

“Our faculty not only provide UA students with a premier education,” Whitaker said, “they also visit with prospective students, answering questions about majors and assisting students as they decide their next educational steps.”

Enrollment totals in UA schools and colleges for 2018 are as follows:

Arts and Sciences – 9,328
Culverhouse College of Business – 8,994
Engineering – 6,044
Human Environmental Sciences – 3,952
Communication and Information Sciences – 3,012
Education – 2,714
Capstone College of Nursing – 2,419
Continuing Studies – 716
Social Work – 686
Law – 450
Community Health Sciences – 68

“Our commitment to students and their success is evident in all we do,” Bell said. “That includes giving students incredible opportunities to learn and grow as individuals and also providing a supportive, inclusive campus community that makes their success possible.”