A record-setting 2,400 newly registered graduate students helped take UNC Charlotte fall enrollment over 30,000 for the first time in the University’s 75-year history.
Enrollment figures published Sept. 21, 2020 also included 4,000 new first-year students and 2,600 transfer students. The graduate school enrolled 712 more in-state students than fall 2019.
“We are now the second-largest institution in the UNC System with 30,146 enrolled students,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This record-breaking enrollment is a testament to UNC Charlotte’s long-standing focus on affordability, accessibility and opportunity for deserving students.
The newest undergraduate Niners, selected from more than 26,000 freshman and transfer applications, represent 91 of 100 North Carolina counties, 49 states and 25 countries. More than 2,100 are first-generation college students.
“Niner Nation continues to grow not only in numbers but also in terms of opportunity, diversity and outcomes,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our outstanding faculty, academic programs, research capabilities and incredible campus experience make UNC Charlotte the first choice for many students from across the state, region and country.”
Enrollment highlights include:
- Of the nearly 6,600 new undergraduates, more than 6,200 are from North Carolina.
- This year’s freshman class is the largest in University history, 10% larger than that of 2019.
- Enrollment among Black/African American freshmen grew by 30% over last year.
- Students who identify with more than one race or ethnicity jumped by 19% since last year.
- Hispanic freshman enrollment is up 43% since last year.
- Nearly 33% of the incoming class are first-generation college students.
- The average weighted GPA of the 4,000 new freshmen is 3.9.
- A greater percentage of new undergraduates received institutional merit-based scholarships for fall 2020, and more students also earned external scholarships when compared to last year. Honors College enrollment increased by 6%.
- Incoming freshmen in STEM majors represent 34% of the class.
- Total graduate student enrollment is nearly 6,000, 719 higher than 2019 and the highest number in UNC Charlotte history.
- Noteworthy graduate enrollment increases include the MBA program and the Graduate Certificate in Teaching.
The University attributes the enrollment boost in part to its quick implementation of both live and pre-recorded virtual admissions events and individual attention to students’ needs. The admissions staff reached out via text, phone and email to admitted students to make sure they had all the information they needed to register for summer orientation, enroll in fall courses and join the UNC Charlotte community.
“The significance of the role our students, faculty and staff in recalibrating our enrollment efforts as a result of the coronavirus cannot be overstated,” said Claire Kirby, director of undergraduate admissions. “Individuals from all areas of campus life helped us to meet prospective new students where they are in this new virtual environment, leading eventually to today’s celebratory milestone.”