‘Who we are and what we do’: UK sets record enrollment, graduation rates
The University of Kentucky is reporting yet another year of record enrollment, with more than 38,700 students enrolled this fall, according to preliminary data.
Along with a growing overall enrollment, UK also recorded a record number of first year students, 7,012, and a record number of first generation students, nearly 1,900. About 27% of the freshman class are first-generation students.
And, UK recorded more than 4,000 first year students who are from Kentucky — another record for the school.
Final enrollment numbers will be calculated in October, but early data was presented to the Board of Trustees on Friday.
“Our preliminary numbers speak about who we are and what we do in support of our mission in advancing Kentucky,” President Eli Capilouto said. “More importantly, I know we all eagerly think about the generational change those students, when they leave the university, will make possible for communities throughout the commonwealth.”
Last fall, enrollment was 35,951, with 6,513 first-year students.
Despite changes at the federal level, including graduate student visas being revoked — but later restored — earlier this year, UK saw a 4% increase in international student enrollment. UK attributed that growth to greater outreach efforts.
The university also saw growth in their health care majors. More than 7,600 students are enrolled in the colleges of dentistry, health sciences, medicine, nursing and public health. The College of Public Health’s enrollment has grown by 18 percentage points since last fall, the university said.
“Part of the success in those growing numbers is my belief that at the University of Kentucky, we must do more and be more for our state by helping to create a healthier Kentucky for generations to come,” Capilouto said.
Along with growth in enrollment, UK has also set records with its graduation rate. The six-year graduation rate, which measures the percentage of students who graduate six years after enrolling, is nearly 72%, a record for the university.
The four-year graduation rate is also around 60%, which is what the six-year graduation rate was 15 years ago — showing steady growth towards graduation for students.
The national graduation rate is around 64%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.