University of Tennessee campuses are experiencing exponential growth and setting record-high enrollment numbers. 

For the last six years, the UT System has reported increased enrollment, with a total of 64,866 students enrolled for the 2025 fall semester. The University of Tennessee at Martin set its own record this semester, with 8,101 total students enrolled – up from 7,507 in 2024. This can be attributed to many factors, such as the second-year Chancellor, Dr. Yancy Freeman’s goal to have more than 10,000 students enrolled in the school within the next few years. However, retention rates are down compared to previous years, which is a goal the university will need to address. 

During the pandemic, colleges and universities reached record-low enrollment rates due to the uncertainty of the future higher education.

“Enrollment went down in Fall 2021 because of COVID-19, but has gone back up since,” said Destin Tucker, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. “Numbers grew from 7,119 students in Fall 2020 to about 8,101 expected in Fall 2025.”

A major reason for this spike in enrollment is the number of freshmen. UT Martin recently reported its largest freshman enrollment class in 15 years, with 1,329 first-year students reported to campus this semester. This represents the trend, with Fall 2023 and 2024 having 1,118 and 1,220, respectively. 

“I chose UTM because I like the small campus,” said Vivian Thomas, a freshman business major at UT Martin. “In my first few weeks, I have felt very welcomed by many professors who genuinely care about my success.”

Thomas went on to explain how she has been making friends throughout her classes and by participating in different events on campus. UT Martin is close to home for her, but it gives her enough space to grow and develop into her own person, she said.

With the increase in students applying and enrolling in college after COVID-19, many questions and concerns arise not only from potential students but also from their families.

“I know what it feels like to not have all the answers,” said Sinahi Carrizales, Admissions Counselor at UT Martin. “That’s why I want to be someone students can lean on … We are not just guiding students, but also reassuring their families that this is the right place for their child.”

UT Martin has implemented new recruiting tactics, focusing on getting students into college during their high school careers, starting college visits and tours as early as sophomore year, and focusing on keeping students grounded in their studies. They are also giving students the chance to dive deeper into their hobbies and interests by hosting camps for students as young as middle school.