The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will welcome new and returning students to campus as the fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 18. With record total enrollment surpassing 40,000, the university remains dedicated to expanding educational access and providing an unparalleled student experience.
The university expects to meet or exceed its fall 2024 retention rate of 91.9%, which reflects the percentage of first-year students returning for their sophomore year. Fostering a strong connection with new and returning students is part of the university’s strategic enrollment plan, which aims to expand access for undergraduate, graduate and online students and to support the state’s workforce needs.
“We are thrilled to welcome another extraordinarily talented first-year class of Volunteers from every corner of Tennessee, across the country and around the world,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick. “They come to us eager to experience our commitment to providing them with an unparalleled student experience, from the classroom to Neyland Stadium and everything in between. Our new Volunteers start their collegiate journeys on a campus that has never looked better and has never been better prepared to help them become the next generation of innovators and leaders in service to their communities, states and country.”
Highlights from the Class of 2029
UT received nearly 63,000 first-year applications — a new record — including a 5.1% increase in Tennessee applicants.
- More than 7,100 first-year students are joining UT this fall, with 60% of them coming from in-state.
- First-year students hail from all 95 Tennessee counties, 46 states plus the District of Columbia, and 33 countries.
- First-generation college students make up more than 14.5% of incoming students.
Investing in Campus Upgrades
UT has invested in campus upgrades and improved mobility to support growing enrollment and enhance the overall student experience.
- Two new residential communities — Poplar and Beacon halls — opened to students this fall, housing a combined 1,959 students.
- Students can enjoy improved dining options with renovations to Volunteer Hall’s dining space, new options across campus and Cumberland Food Hall to open later this fall.
- The T Transit System’s new Downtown Loop route links the university to downtown Knoxville. The route is part of the university’s comprehensive efforts to enhance mobility, ensuring that students, faculty, staff and visitors have a safe, convenient and efficient way to explore campus and the community.
Expanding Access Through Scholarships and Pathways
By expanding scholarship access and creating innovative pathways to a UT education, the university is giving more students than ever before the opportunity to pursue degrees that prepare them for the future.
- 94% of first-year students are receiving some form of scholarship or financial aid, demonstrating the university’s continued commitment to college access and affordability.
- Nearly 95% of in-state first-year applicants were offered a pathway to a UT education through programs like the UT Access Collaborative, Verto Vols and Rocky Top Transfer.
- The fourth class of Distinguished Tennessean Scholars will arrive on campus this fall, with representation from all 95 counties in Tennessee. The scholarship, awarded to one student from each Tennessee county, covers full tuition and mandatory fees and is renewable for four years.
- UT Promise on Rocky Top will welcome its first class. Students who receive the UT Promise scholarship, a last-dollar scholarship that covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Tennessee residents, will receive robust mentorship and career planning support from campus leaders, mentors and peers and will participate in service-learning opportunities each semester.
Welcoming First-Year and Transfer Students
This fall, UT will welcome more than 1,600 transfer students, including more than 1,100 from within the state. The university received a record-breaking 5,300 transfer applications for the fall semester, with a 7% increase in Tennessee applicants.
First-year and transfer students will kick off their time at UT with Vol 104: Big Orange Welcome — six weeks of high-energy educational events designed to spark their Volunteer spirit. The initiative is organized by the Division of Student Success and encourages new students to explore campus, build connections, and dive into the university’s academic success and well-being resources.
All fall 2025 enrollment and retention numbers are not final until the 14th day of the semester.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)
Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)