Knoxville Campus Student Population: How Big Is Big?

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a public land-grant research university. It is the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee system. The university has seen a record-breaking number of students in recent years. In 2024, the university enrolled 38,728 students, including 30,564 undergraduates. The university received over 59,000 applications, with an acceptance rate of 46%. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is one of the oldest public universities in the United States, founded in 1794, two years before Tennessee became a state.

Total student population: 38,728

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a large university with a total student population of 38,728. This number includes 30,564 undergraduate students and 8,164 graduate and professional students. The university has seen consistent growth in its student population over the years, with an estimated enrollment of over 37,000 in 2024, breaking previous records.

The university attracts students from diverse backgrounds, with 63% of undergraduates from the state of Tennessee and 14% of graduate/professional students being international. In terms of demographics, the student population is predominantly female, with 54% identifying as female and 46% as male. The university also has a notable number of first-generation college students, with over 16% of incoming students in this category.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers a wide range of academic programs to its large student body. With 14 degree-granting colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, and 360+ undergraduate programs, the university provides extensive educational opportunities. The university's diverse student population and comprehensive academic offerings contribute to its vibrant and enriching campus life.

The large student population also brings various benefits to the wider community. The university has an annual impact on the Tennessee economy, estimated at $1.7 billion as of 2019. This impact extends beyond the economic realm, as the university enriches the cultural and social landscape of the region through its diverse student body and the exchange of ideas fostered in a higher education setting.

Undergraduate students: 30,564

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a public land-grant research university. It is the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee system. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,564, out of which 6,804 were new freshmen in 2024. The total number of students enrolled in the university in 2024 was 38,728, including graduate and professional students. The university has seen a record-breaking number of students in recent years, with an estimated enrollment of over 37,000. The number of applications has also been increasing, with 59,762 first-year applications received, an 11.2% increase from the previous year.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers a wide range of academic programs to its undergraduate students. The university has ten undergraduate colleges and nine graduate colleges. It offers over 300 degree programs, including more than 360 undergraduate programs and 547 graduate programs. The university also offers 70+ online degree and certificate programs and 500+ study abroad programs, providing diverse educational opportunities for its undergraduate students.

The undergraduate population at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is diverse. Demographically, 21% of all undergraduate students identify as non-white, and 54% identify as female. In terms of geographic representation, the university attracts students from all 50 states, with 63% of undergraduates hailing from the state of Tennessee itself. The university also has a significant international student population, creating a global learning environment on campus.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, provides a rich and engaging campus experience for its undergraduate students. With a total of 1,900+ instructional faculty members, the university offers a low student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1. This ensures that students receive personalized attention and support in their academic pursuits. The university also boasts a strong athletics program, with the nickname "The Volunteers," reflecting the state's proud history of volunteerism. The university's sports teams and extracurricular activities foster a sense of community and school spirit among the undergraduate population.

Graduate and professional students: 8,164

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a public land-grant research university that was founded in 1794. As of 2024, it hosts an estimated total of over 37,000 students, including 8,164 graduate and professional students. The university's graduate and professional student population is a significant part of its diverse and vibrant community.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers a wide range of graduate and professional programs to its large student body. With eleven graduate colleges, the university provides extensive opportunities for advanced study and research. The graduate and professional programs cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, business, and more. The university's strong focus on research is evident in its classification as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The ties to the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory further enhance the research capabilities of the faculty and students.

The graduate and professional students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1. This ratio ensures that students receive a high level of attention and support from their instructors. The university boasts over 900 programs of study, with 547 graduate programs and 70+ online degree and certificate programs. This extensive range of programs provides graduate and professional students with numerous specialized areas of study to choose from.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has a strong commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In 2024, 14% of its graduate and professional students were international, contributing to a rich cultural exchange on campus. Additionally, the university has made significant strides in increasing diversity, with the Geier Consent Decree resulting in the appropriation of $77 million in state funding to enhance diversity among student and faculty populations across Tennessee's higher education institutions. The university's dedication to diversity and inclusion creates a welcoming environment for graduate and professional students from a variety of backgrounds.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a dynamic and expanding institution with a bright future ahead. Its commitment to research, academic excellence, and diversity makes it an attractive choice for graduate and professional students seeking a challenging and enriching educational experience. The university's continuous growth in enrollment and its dedication to providing extensive resources and support for its students bode well for its future development and impact.

First-year students: 6,700+

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a public land-grant research university. Founded in 1794, it is the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee system. The university hosts more than 30,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. In 2024, the university enrolled a record-breaking number of students, with a total of 38,728 students, including 30,564 undergraduates. Of these, 6,804 were new freshmen and 1,602 were new transfers. The following year, in 2025, the university again broke its record with an estimated enrollment of over 37,000 students, including a class of over 6,700 first-year students. This was an increase from the previous year's 6,694 new freshmen, though slightly less than the 2022 figure of 6,846.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. In terms of demographics, the university's student body is comprised of individuals from a range of backgrounds. In 2024, 63% of undergraduates were from the state of Tennessee, while 14% of graduate and professional students were international. Additionally, 21% of all students identified as non-white, and 54% of the student population was female.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers a wide range of academic opportunities for its students. With ten undergraduate colleges and eleven graduate colleges, the university provides over 300 degree programs. This includes 900+ programs of study, 360+ undergraduate programs, and 547 graduate programs. The university also offers 70+ online degree and certificate programs, as well as 500+ study abroad programs, providing students with a variety of educational pathways to choose from.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is dedicated to supporting its large student body. With a low student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the university ensures that students receive individual attention and support. The university also recognises the importance of campus life and offers a range of housing options, with 16 residence halls and 8,784 beds. All freshmen are required to live on campus, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the university experience and take advantage of the convenient access to classes, activities, and resources.

Retention rate: 91%+

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has a retention rate of over 91%. This is a record-breaking figure, which has been on the rise for five consecutive years. The university's first-year retention rate increased from 91.1% in 2023 to 91.9% in 2024. This is coupled with a large intake of first-year students, with over 6,700 in the class of 2028.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a public land-grant research university. Founded in 1794, it is the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee system. The university has ten undergraduate colleges and eleven graduate colleges. It hosts more than 30,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. The total number of students enrolled in the university in Fall 2024 was 38,728, including 30,564 undergraduates and 8,164 graduate and professional students. The student body is 54% female, with 21% of all students identifying as non-white.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The university has 1,951 full-time instructional faculty members, with 83% holding doctorate degrees. The university is one of the largest employers in the area, with 10,896 faculty, staff, and service employees.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers over 900 programs of study, including 360+ undergraduate programs and 547 graduate programs. The university also offers 70+ online degree and certificate programs and 500+ study abroad programs. It is classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and has the highest university research designation from the Carnegie Foundation. The university has strong ties to the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which allow for considerable research opportunities for faculty and students. The university is also affiliated with the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, the University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility, and the University of Tennessee Arboretum.

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