Local colleges report increased enrollment in 2024

Enrollment for the 2024 fall semester at several North Alabama colleges and universities are at record levels, according to number released recently by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

Alabama A&M, UNA and Athens State all saw significant increases in students this semester. Here’s more:

Record enrollment at local colleges

While the University of Alabama in Huntsville saw a slight decrease in enrollment for the fall semester (a 2.1% decrease), the University of North Alabama, Athens State University and Alabama A&M University each saw an increase in students this fall.

Here are some interesting numbers for local colleges for the fall semester:

• Alabama A&M University saw its student body grow to 7,295 students for the fall semester, an overall increase of 10.3% – marking the largest enrollment in the institution’s history for the second consecutive year.
• The University of North Alabama reported that enrollment for undergraduate degree-seeking students is up, with a 10% increase from 2023.
• Athens State University reported a 2024 fall enrollment of 2,987 — like AAMU, a record-setting semester — slightly edging out last fall’s number of 2,955 students.
• Drake State Community & Technical College saw its enrollment increase by 14.4% this fall, the highest increase among the state’s community colleges.

“Continuous record enrollment numbers are a testament to the hard work of our entire campus community, including our students. Under the leadership of President Daniel K. Wims, we are focused on our mission to grow Alabama A&M to new heights and provide support for our students along the way.”

Dr. Braque Talley, AAMU Vice President of Student Affairs

Record numbers at state schools

Colleges and universities worldwide are still trying to get their student body numbers back up to pre-COVID levels, and that has not been easy. However, Alabama’s colleges have been fortunate to see significant increases.

Overall, college admissions increased 2.4% statewide this fall. The University of Alabama and the University of South Alabama each reported record enrollment this fall (with UA surpassing 40,000 students for the first time, and South Alabama exceeding 14,000 students).

State schools are making an effort to keep Alabama high school grads in-state, and that seems to be working at UA and the state’s community colleges. In fact, regarding the latter, community college enrollment in the fall of 2024 is up 7.4%.

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