UTEP Fall Enrollment Increases for 21st Consecutive Year
Last Updated on September 23, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Originally published September 23, 2019
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso’s enrollment has increased for the 21st consecutive year.
Fall enrollment figures for the 2019-20 academic year reached a record high of 25,177, compared with 25,151 last year.
“UTEP provides a great education at a price families can afford,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “I was particularly pleased to see the 5.7% growth in the freshman class and improvement in retention of students as they make progress toward graduation.”
Areas of growth include a notable 24% increase among new doctoral students, a 5.7% increase among new first-time students, and a 5.2% increase among new master’s students.
“We are very pleased to see over two decades of consistent enrollment increase at UTEP,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Gary Edens, Ed.D. “Over the last two years, we’ve seen a record number of students completing their degrees. The growth in new students entering UTEP is, therefore, a top priority for our recruitment and admissions team. We are glad that we can continue to serve this region and help our students reach their educational goals.”
UTEP’s climbing retention rates also contribute to its steady growth. In fall 2019, the University’s year-to-year undergraduate retention rate is 77%, compared to 69% in fall 2018. The retention rate among first-time, full-time students increased to 75% in fall 2019, compared to 73% in fall 2018.
“Many of our students have commitments outside the classroom, and our faculty and staff work to create an engaging environment in which they can successfully complete their degrees,” Edens said. “Retention is a top priority, and we're excited to see the strong improvement in student success.”
The record number of degrees awarded in the 2018-19 academic year surpassed 5,000, compared to 4,842 awarded in the previous year. Edens said that along with this increase, the number of the region’s high school graduates has stayed flat, which places extra emphasis on UTEP’s recruitment and retention efforts.
