UA Sets New Enrollment Record As Number Of Alabama Students Grows

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama set another enrollment record this fall, topping 42,400 students while also posting an increase in the number of Alabama residents attending the state's flagship university.

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UA announced Tuesday that total fall 2026 enrollment reached 42,431 students, up 71 from the fall 2025 census total of 42,360.

While the overall increase was modest, the university saw more substantial growth among Alabama residents.

UA says it enrolled 18,652 in-state students this fall, a 3.6% increase from 18,007 a year ago.

University officials said the numbers reflect a deliberate approach to enrollment growth while placing greater emphasis on recruiting and preparing Alabama students.

"These numbers reflect purposeful progress," UA President Peter Mohler said. "Our success cannot simply be measured by the size of our enrollment, but will be demonstrated by the impact of our students when they graduate. We will be a university known for the development of leaders shaping the future of Alabama and beyond."

Mohler said UA will continue evaluating its enrollment strategies with an eye toward meeting workforce needs in Alabama and across the country.

The academic profile of incoming students also continued to rise, according to the university, with first-time undergraduates posting an average high school GPA of 3.86.

The freshman class includes 280 National Merit Scholars, while more than 1,200 National Merit students are enrolled at UA this fall.

UA also reported double-digit growth in its Early College program, which allows high school students to earn college credit before graduation.

University officials pointed to programs such as Crimson Compass as part of their effort to reach Alabama students before they arrive on campus.

The initiative includes Tide to Success, a free, self-paced online college-readiness course that includes ACT preparation, along with UA ACTivate, a summer residential program combining ACT strategies with an introduction to campus life.

The university also reported a new high for its six-year graduation rate.

UA's six-year graduation rate for the 2020 cohort reached 75.5%, the highest since the university began tracking the measure in 1988.

"We will continue to evaluate and align enrollment strategies to meet the workforce needs of our state and nation and ensure every student who enrolls at UA leaves our campus prepared for a career of impact," Mohler said.

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