UM-Flint enrollment continues to climb as more than 6,500 students arrive for fall 2024

For the second year in a row, the University of Michigan-Flint has recorded an increase in total fall enrollment as 6,529 students are enrolled at the downtown campus, reflecting a gain of nearly 400 students (+6.51%) from one year ago.

The numbers come from UM-Flint's release of its official 10-day count of students used for state and national reporting purposes. The increase in total enrollment comes one year after the university recorded a 2.42% increase, which was the institution's first enrollment increase since 2014.

"The continued growth in our fall enrollment is not only exciting but a testament to our university's vital role in shaping the future of so many talented students," said Laurence B. Alexander, UM-Flint chancellor. "This increase reflects the dedication of our recruitment and outreach teams, who have worked tirelessly to connect with students and highlight the unique opportunities we offer. Our university is deeply committed to ensuring that this momentum continues throughout the academic year and beyond, as our students enrich our campus community and strengthen the city, the region and the state."

Contributing to the overall gain is a 10% increase in graduate students (+139) and a nearly 5.5% rise in undergraduate students (+260). Other growth areas include:

• Undergraduate transfer students, +24.73%.
• New graduate students, +18.93%.
• First-time in any college enrollees, +4.13%. 

"At our university, we are intentional in designing degree programs that are both market-driven and reflective of our students' aspirations, which is why we're seeing more students pursue their educations at UM-Flint," said Yener Kandogan, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. "Our commitment is to ensure that our graduates are prepared to succeed in their careers and make meaningful contributions to their communities. These programs are built on a foundation of close collaboration with industry leaders, ensuring that the skills and abilities we cultivate in our students align with the needs employers have identified. This approach helps ensure that our students are prepared for success in a rapidly changing world."

The 555 new first-time students enter UM-Flint with an average high school GPA of 3.48. 

Jumps in first-time and new transfer students continue their upward trend that began in 2022, when those categories showed gains for the first time in six and 11 years, respectively.

"I am incredibly proud of the work our undergraduate admissions team has done to bring in this class," said Joe Vainner, director of university admissions. "Our first-time student population has grown for the third year in a row and our incoming transfer class is the largest in more than a decade. The dedication and determination put forth by our staff to make sure students throughout the region know and understand what a benefit UM-Flint can be to their future is unmatched."

Each of UM-Flint's five colleges and schools saw enrollments increase, with the School of Management (+145) leading the way, followed by the College of Health Sciences (+89), the College of Innovation & Technology (+63), the School of Nursing (+53), and the College of Arts, Sciences & Education (+49).

The university's returning student cohort has seen significant growth, with 77.78% of full-time students returning this fall compared to last year's 76.03%. This is an increase of +1.75% and the highest since the fall 2012 cohort rate of 79.90%. Transfer students have also seen an increase in retention rates, with 78.10% returning this fall. This is an increase of 6%, the highest since the fall 2019 cohort retention rate of 79.15%.

UM-Flint's fall 2024 enrollment is composed of 5,011 undergraduates and 1,518 graduate students, compared to last year's figures of 4,751 and 1,379, respectively.

Credit hours have also significantly increased, with 68,299 credits registered for fall 2024, representing a 7.76% increase over last year's total.

Overall, 95% of the university's students hail from Michigan, with females making up nearly 65% of the total enrollment, while students who identify as underrepresented minorities account for 23.9% of the population.