Huntsville-area colleges see increased enrollment for new students this semester

We have a strong educational foundation here in the Huntsville area, with our local K-12 schools consistently ranked among the state’s best. But our institutions of higher learning are also rather impressive, and the enrollment numbers this fall show that students are choosing our area colleges and universities more than ever.

Athens State, Alabama A&M and UAH each saw increased freshman enrollment for the fall semester, and if you look at the numbers, this is a trend, rather than an outlier.

Freshman enrollment up at Athens State, UAH, AAMU

Huntsville is fortunate to have multiple higher ed schools right here in the metro area and to have the University of North Alabama right down the road. All of these schools have traditionally welcomed local high school grads, but are now seeing new students from all over Alabama and out of state as well.

Here’s a rundown of the 2025 fall semester for local schools:

University of Alabama in Huntsville

UAH enrolled 1,220 new freshmen for Fall 2025, part of an overall increase in first-time undergraduate students. This is the second consecutive year of increasing the first-year class.

Some interesting facts:

• This year’s incoming class brings an average ACT score of 27 and an average GPA of 3.97, both reflecting nearly a 2% increase over last year’s metrics.
• Overall undergraduate enrollment remains strong at 6,743 students, while academic indicators trend upward.
• UAH’s Tennessee Resident Scholarship Program, which offers in-state tuition rates to qualifying Tennessee students, has grown the school’s out of state enrollment, as Tennessee freshman enrollment increased by 9.8% over last year.
• New first-time undergraduates from outside Alabama grew by 6.04% overall.

“We’re proud to see not only steady interest in UAH but also increasing academic strength in our newest students. It’s a testament to our faculty, our programs and our growing reputation for providing a world-class education with personal support.”

Dr. Chuck Karr, President of UAH

Alabama A&M University

Alabama A&M started the 2025-26 school year with record-breaking enrollment for its freshman class. AAMU welcomed 2,157 first-time freshmen to the school this fall, setting a record for freshman enrollment (breaking a record set last year).

Also noteworthy:

• The 2,157 incoming freshmen represent 40 states and five countries.
• The Class of 2029 is 58% female, 42% male and includes five sets of twins.
• 62% of the new freshmen are living on campus

Athens State University

Athens State recently shared that overall enrollment numbers are continuing to grow. While the exact number of freshmen has not been released, the uptick in new students reflects that a high number of incoming freshmen contributed to the recent enrollment spike.

Fun facts:

• The university has a headcount of more than 3,000 students.
• Those students are producing 27,700 credit hours.
• This is the first time Athens State’s student enrollment has surpassed 3,000 since 2018.

“We are excited to welcome an even greater number of students this Fall compared to last year. Our students’ presence brings renewed energy and purpose to our campus, and we look forward to supporting each student’s success as they become part of the proud tradition of Athens State University.”

Dr. Catherine Wehlburg, President of Athens State University

University of North Alabama

Freshman enrollment numbers have not been released yet for UNA, but reports show the University has already exceeded the 10,000 mark and is on track to exceed last year’s record.

Final numbers are not expected until the beginning of November, in order to account for students who take eight-week courses for the second half of the semester. But the data points to an increase that will lift UNA over last year’s tally of 10,600 students and closer to the next milestone of 11,000 students.

More info:

• The freshman class ,as well as new transfers to the University, account for approximately 2,000 new UNA students.
• For the first time in its history, the Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College enrollment has exceeded 1,000.
• UNA’s enrollment has increased by almost 4,000 since 2015, which represents the strongest rate of growth among all of Alabama’s public universities.

“We continue to see a record number of campus visits and growing interest in UNA from all sectors of students, from the first-year freshman to the grad student to the transfer student seeking a new academic pathway. We have an excellent team at UNA helping to recruit students to campus and show them the exciting and transformative things that are possible here.”

Julie Taylor, UNA Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management

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