Freshman enrollment at the University of Memphis increased 30.3 percent from 2015 to this year. This increase is by far the largest freshman enrollment change since 2008, the last avaliable data. This information comes from the U of M Office of Institutional Research.
The University of Memphis freshman class increased by 30.2 percent this year, according to U of M president David Rudd. After 2,050 students entered in 2015, the number spiked to 2,670 this fall, which is the largest increase in freshmen since 2007.
The numbers represent full-time, first-year freshmen seeking a degree.
President Rudd, who mentioned the increase at the Memphis City Council meeting Tuesday afternoon, says the fluctuation is, in part, due to tuition changes for out-of-state students.
“I think our 250 mile radius program had a lot to do with that,†he said. “We altered the tuition structure for out-of-state students within the seven state region.â€
The program allows incoming freshmen ineligible for in-state tuition to apply for a reduced rate, which saves students about $10,000 a year. To be considered for the discount, students must have attended a high school within 250 miles of the U of M.
Rudd also thinks better marketing helped increase the school’s enrollment numbers and the increase will improve the university’s fortunes.
“Sixty-two percent of our budget dollars are tuition, so it helps the financial structure and the university’s financial situation,†Rudd said.
The campus president also believes the numerical rise could help Memphis as a whole. “Any growth in the university helps the school and the community overall,†Rudd added.
Rudd isn’t the only one excited about the freshman increase. New students were beaming Tuesday after hearing the news.
“I’m proud to be a part of the group,†said TC Beavers, 19, a U of M freshman who is an undecided major. “I didn’t know my class was the biggest one in years.â€
Shandaria Blake, 18, a freshman and chemistry major, shared his sentiments, saying, “It’s pretty cool.â€
“It feels like I’m a part of a new generation of college students,†said Kashirim Nwobilor, a freshman violin performance major.
The statistics also seem to have helped form a comradery among freshmen.
“They all seem smart, and seem to have their own opinions about themselves,†Beavers said. “It creates cultural diversity and brings a lot to the table.â€
Nwobilor, like Beavers, considers his class to be among the university’s finest.
“I think this class may be one of the best,†he said. “Coincidentally, we are the class of 2020, which coincides with 20/20 vision.â€
