Preliminary fall enrollment numbers of universities in Tennessee show UTM having the largest enrollment increase of any public university in the state.

Overall, the enrollment numbers for the UT System show a modest increase compared to the one seen last year after the implementation of the lottery scholarships. The Tennessee Board of Regents shows a decrease in enrollment as compared with the previous year.

According to data released by UTM, a total of 6,484 students are enrolled for the fall semester, an increase from 6,104 recorded for fall 2004. These numbers also reflect a record fall enrollment for dual-credit and graduate students.

“This fall’s numbers show increases in important categories besides total student enrollment,” Chancellor Nick Dunagan says. “Record enrollment for dual-credit and graduate students shows that UTM is expanding its educational reach.”

Dual-credit courses are offered in high schools in West Tennessee and allow students to earn both high school and college credit before entering college. The university’s new online master’s degree in educational administration and supervision is credited for increases in graduate enrollment. These programs are offered by UT New College.

Based on the preliminary numbers released by UTM, fall enrollment increased 6.2 percent as compared to Fall 2004. These numbers are preliminary. Final figures are compiled by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.

UTM’s enrollment also reflects 1,219 freshmen, the second largest freshmen class on the UTM campus. First-time freshmen have an average 3.30 high school grade-point-average, up from 2004, and an average ACT score of 22.

Data released by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) shows Austin Peay State University and UTM to be the only universities in the state with significant enrollment increases. According to this data, Austin Peay increased enrollment numbers by 4.2 percent and UTM increased by 7.0 percent.

Brian Noland, associate executive director of policy, planning and research for THEC, cautions that these numbers are not final. “These numbers are only preliminary right now,” Noland says.

According to the preliminary data released by THEC, Tennessee State University and the University of Memphis, both part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, show enrollment numbers that have decreased as compared to Fall 2004. Three other schools in the TBR system show increases of one percent or less. Austin Peay leads the TRB system with their enrollment increase of 4.2 percent.

Only the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, in the University of Tennessee system, shows enrollment percentages that have decreased. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville shows their enrollment numbers to have increased by 2.6 percent. This percentage, however, does not reflect students who attend the UT Space Institute and the UT Veterinary College. UTM leads the UT system in enrollment increases with its percentage of 7.0 percent according to the preliminary data from THEC.

UTM’s enrollment increase is not reflective of enrollment numbers for all four year universities in Tennessee, where a very modest increase was reported. The TBR system reported only a 0.6 percent increase overall for the change between Fall 2004-2005. In 2003-2004, the TBR system reported a fall semester enrollment increase of 2.1 percent.

The UT system is reported to have increased its enrollment 2.5 percent for the Fall 2004-2005. For the Fall 2003-2004, the UT system reported enrollment increases at 2.39 percent.

Martin Mayor Randy Brundige says the enrollment increases are a plus for the city as well. “The steady enrollment increases at the university are important for UTM, the city of Martin and the region,” Brundige says. “Current students are important contributors to the local economy, while the education they receive improves the quality of life for everyone when they graduate and enter the work force.”

The enrollment growth trend follows the recent notification from U.S. News and World Report that UTM is tied for 20th place among public universities in the South that grant bachelor’s and master’s degrees, up from 23rd place last year. UTM was also named a “Best Southeastern College” by the Princeton Review for 2006.