UNT welcomes record number of graduate students, overall enrollment increases to more than 36,000 students

From a UNT News Service press release

UNT's student body in fall 2010 includes more graduate students than ever before, a brighter and bigger incoming freshman class and more students who are continuing their studies.

Total enrollment at UNT increased by 1,337 students, or 3.8 percent, as compared to last fall. The new enrollment figure was calculated based on an unofficial headcount of students on the fall semester's 12th day of classes. Today, 36,118 students are now pursuing degrees in Denton.

UNT continues to be the largest, most comprehensive university in the 16-county North Texas region, which is home to the nation's sixth largest economy.

The fall 2010 enrollment includes a 6 percent increase in graduate students, bringing graduate enrollment to an all-time high of 7,794. It also includes a 7 percent increase in new freshmen and this year's freshman class has an average SAT score of 1101.

Growth at the graduate level is particularly important to the university's continued development as a major research university. UNT is committed to transforming itself as a public research university, and is growing its excellence in science, engineering and technology while remaining committed to its mission of educating and graduating students.

"As a public university, the most important thing UNT does is provide students with an opportunity to pursue their dreams and change their lives," President V. Lane Rawlins says. "In doing so, we provide the North Texas region with a well-prepared workforce that meets industry needs and keeps our economy going. The fact that we are growing both in quality and size at both the undergraduate and graduate level means our region, state and nation will grow stronger."

Importantly, UNT's fall 2010 enrollment also includes growth in retention with 78 percent of UNT's freshman class from 2009 enrolling for their sophomore year. Growth in retention means UNT is not just enrolling more students but also is keeping those students focused on graduation. This past year, UNT awarded more than 7,800 degrees.

UNT continues to be a diverse university and this year will again reach out to meet the needs of more than 1,200 student veterans pursuing their degrees after serving the country.

UNT enrollment figures no longer include students at the UNT Dallas campus for state reporting. Until the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board verifies enrollment numbers and makes them official later in the fall, all enrollment statistics are unofficial, 12th class day numbers.

Kelley Reese with UNT News Service can be reached at kelley.reese@unt.edu.

Read other stories in this issue:

• President's Note
• Murphy Center luncheon to feature sports writer Frank Deford
• Moving Forward: More leading researchers join faculty
• UNT generating clean energy, raising water issue awareness
• Grant bolsters Student Support Services program
• Faculty Focus: Feifei Pan
• Traditions: Fouts Field Finale honoring stadium’s last season
• Featured Link: Learn how alumni are driving the economy in The North Texan
• UNT Alumni Association