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- Williesha Morris | wmorris@al.com
Alabama’s largest university has once again broken an enrollment record.
The University of Alabama enrolled 42,360 students for fall 2025, a 3.7% increase from last year.
Officials say this year’s numbers include an increase in Alabama natives headed to Tuscaloosa. Recruiting in-state students has become a priority over the last several years, according to Matthew McLendon, UA’s associate vice president and executive director of enrollment management.
“We have a very strong recruiter base here in the state of Alabama,” McLendon told AL.com. “We also try to, as best we can, get to all of the high schools within the state of Alabama that will let us visit.”
The university has had high out-of-state enrollment since 2014. This year, in-state enrollment increased 4%. Out-of-state enrollment decreased by about 2%, according to data from the university’s Office of Institutional Research and Advancement.
McLendon said a partnership with the Small Town and Rural Student (STARS) College Network allows for students in rural communities to learn about attending UA. Another recent add is the Randall Welcome Center, which opened in 2024.
“We really strive to make it a good experience for everybody who comes on campus,” McLendon said.
Since 2015, overall enrollment at UA has increased by about 10%, according to data obtained from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. The only dip was in 2020.
New President Peter Mohler said UA is “defining the future of higher education” and is focused on workforce needs in Alabama and nationwide.
“Our momentum is powered by students representing all 67 Alabama counties, with an impact that will continue to transform lives in Alabama and beyond,” Mohler said.
Hailey Carter, a Washington native, moved onto campus on Aug. 14. During the tour, when she walked past Denny Chimes, she said envisioned going to the student center or the library.
Carter said “I just kind of looked and I thought to myself, ‘This is where I can see myself walking every day to class.’”
UA has also seen a boost in the number of high school students enrollment. Early College, a program aimed at high school students with at least 3.0 GPA, increased enrollment by 30.8% this year. UA announced a 90% decrease in Early College tuition in May.
Enrollment by students under the age of 18 increased about 32% compared to last year, according to university data.
Graduate school enrollment reached record levels. There are 6,200 students enrolled, about 4% higher than 2024.
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Higher Education & Libraries Reporter
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