ABQ Times

Enrollment at The University of New Mexico (UNM) is on the rise, according to data released this semester. For fall 2024, the Albuquerque campus registered 3,642 new first-year students, surpassing last year's record of 3,611. This marks the largest incoming class since UNM's establishment in 1889.

Total enrollment at the Albuquerque campus increased by 2.6% to 23,228 students for fall 2024. Across all UNM campuses, total enrollment rose by 1% to reach 27,075 students.

The fall 2024 first-year class includes a significant number of students from diverse backgrounds and demonstrates improved academic readiness. Notably, there was a 6% increase in new students with high school GPAs of 3.5 or higher compared to last year.

"This is the third consecutive fall increase in enrollment at The University of New Mexico and our largest incoming class in history," said Dan García, UNM’s vice president for enrollment management. "I couldn’t be happier for these and our other successes."

The diversity among the student body has also grown. Hispanic students make up 54.4% of the new cohort, an increase of 1.9%. African American and American Indian student enrollments rose by 0.8% and 7.1%, respectively, while international student numbers surged by 57.9%.

University President Garnett S. Stokes commented on this trend: "The continuing upward trend in enrollment at The University of New Mexico is not only exciting news but also directly reflects our success as an institution."

Retention rates have improved as well; third-semester retention increased from 72% for the fall 2022 cohort to 75% for the fall 2023 cohort. Other notable increases include a rise in returning students by 4.7%, sophomores by 6.5%, juniors by 10.5%, seniors by 5.2%, and branch campus transfers by a substantial margin.

Branch campuses such as Gallup and Taos reported enrollment increases of 1.6% and 5.5%, respectively.

UNM remains one of only two dozen R1 universities nationwide designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

For more information on enrolling at UNM, visit UNM Admissions.