UNC Asheville Welcomes Third-Largest Class of New Students for Fall 2024

Photo by Rafael Aguilera
September 5, 2024

The class is the third-largest in University history and a 15.6 percent one year increase in first-time student enrollment.

Again this year, more students are choosing the University of North Carolina Asheville.

UNC Asheville’s just-completed fall census shows new first time student enrollment saw a 15.6 percent increase over last year and 43.6 percent over two years. New transfer student enrollment increased by 11.2 percent.

Total enrollment now stands at 3,055 — a 4.4 percent increase over last year — based on an incoming class of 1,027 new degree-seeking students, the third-largest in the University’s history.

This progress marks a continuation of improvements that began last fall when enrollment was stabilized after a five-year decline of nearly 25 percent.

Key contributors to the ongoing success include a record number of 7,914 first-time and transfer applications, up 72.4 and 23.9 percent, respectively, over the last two years.

“Our progress in reversing earlier enrollment declines is a testament to how the campus community is collaborating to welcome more students,” said UNC Asheville Chancellor Kimberly van Noort. “Together we have sparked greater-than-ever demand for a UNC Asheville education.”

The new Access Asheville financial aid program was an important factor in this success, accounting for 216 of the new first-time and transfer students. Access Asheville guarantees full tuition and fees – currently valued at $7,501 – for qualified North Carolina residents whose family-adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less.

For more information about UNC Asheville, and to schedule a visit or apply, visit unca.edu.

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