UT Southern’s first-year class grows 16% as fall enrollment holds steady

PULASKI, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee Southern welcomed 199 new first-year students this fall, an increase of 16% over the fall 2025 entering class. Total enrollment, based on official fall census figures, held steady at 1,110 students. Within 2% of last year, UT Southern keeps its footing in one of the most competitive recruiting environments to date.

The larger first-year class is strong academically, arriving with an average high school GPA of 3.53, marking the highest incoming average in UT Southern history. First-year students now make up 18% of UT Southern’s total enrollment, up 15% from fall 2025, building a broader foundation for future enrollment as the class moves towards graduation.

“This fall, overall enrollment has remained steady as the academic preparedness of UT students continues to increase,” said Chancellor Melinda Arnold. “We welcomed a first-year class with an average GPA above 3.5, which reflects  the value families across southern Middle Tennessee place in a University of Tennessee education, right here in Pulaski.”

Located between Nashville and Huntsville, UT Southern serves as an educational anchor for southern Middle Tennessee. This fall, enrollment also grew from Lawrence, Franklin and Williamson counties, among others, showing the university’s draw from its own backyard to the Nashville suburbs.

“The enrollment numbers of the past two years show real momentum at the University of Tennessee Southern,” Interim Vice Chancellor of Integrated Enrollment and Brand Strategy, Rick Barth, said. “The quality of this year’s incoming class shows that access and academic excellence are not competing goals at UT Southern, they work in tandem.”

UT Southern’s fall 2026 enrollment highlights:

· Total enrollment: 1,110

· New first-year students: 199

· New transfer students: 119

· Dual enrollment students: 127

· Average high school GPA, new first-year students: 3.53

· Overall undergraduate retention: 79%