“We were delighted to see first-time freshmen numbers increase this fall. The UofM’s accomplishments over the past year through continued investment in scholarship and student success initiatives are gaining momentum and having positive impacts on our enrollment profile,” said Dr. Brian Meredith, vice president of Enrollment Management at the University of Memphis. “I am pleased to see the increases in GPA of our first-year students, which will positively impact retention of our students long term. We are moving into the fall hopeful and poised for continued growth, not only in enrollment but in retention success.”
Reflecting higher admission standards, the UofM accepted 77% of applicants this year, with a yield of 21% — meaning 21% of admitted students chose to enroll, up from 17% last year.
These efforts align with the University’s Ascend strategic plan, which intentionally raises academic standards to strengthen student outcomes and retention. The latest census shows that the University is holding steady while improving the academic quality of its enrollment profile.
“When we launched our Ascend Strategic Plan in 2023, we knew there would be short-term challenges — including potential dips in enrollment due to elevated admission standards last year. Seeing such a swift rebound in our first-year freshman numbers is incredibly encouraging,” said University of Memphis President Dr. Bill Hardgrave. “We are excited to see the increase in enrollment and retention rates as we work toward a successful outcome for every student.”
This progress comes as higher education nationwide braces for the “enrollment cliff,” the widely predicted decline in college enrollment caused by demographic shifts following the 2008 recession. The cliff is expected to accelerate between 2025 and 2030, creating significant challenges across the sector.
““We are excited to see the increase in enrollment and retention rates as we work toward a successful outcome for every student.“
UofM President Bill Hardgrave
Parker King, Assistant Director
University Media and Public Relations
University of Memphis
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