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By Betsy Compton, Special to the Demopolis Times

The University of West Alabama has recorded its highest enrollment in university history for the fall of 2023, with total enrollment at 6,195. The nearly-six percent increase from the previous fall represents both on-campus and online enrollment, ranging from freshman undergraduate through doctoral degree students.

Enrollment numbers are reported in the school’s census data, which begins with August’s on-campus term start and is completed by the start of fall online session two. Sophomore, junior, senior, graduate, and doctoral classes have each increased. Undergraduate enrollment is up more than 10 percent to 2,674.

Four notable increases are key to the overall rise in enrollment, according to Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Melissa Haab.

“Our enrollment includes increases in our numbers for first-time, full-time freshmen, for students living in campus housing, for transfer students, and for dual enrollment students,” Haab said. “These numbers are strong indicators for an upward trend, especially for our undergraduate student population. Our team strives to provide support to all of these students in a way that allows them to excel in the classroom and also as student leaders so they are well-suited for their academic journey and then their careers.”

UWA President Ken Tucker, currently in his ninth year of administration, attributes the record enrollment to university-wide support of recruitment and retention.

“This increase to record-setting enrollment is indicative of the level of support from throughout the university to help ensure that students who want and need to enroll at UWA are equipped to be successful,” Tucker said. “In addition to the range of degree programs and paths we offer, the recruitment and enrollment, financial aid counseling, tuition payment support, parent advocacy, athletic programs and extracurricular organizations, housing, and so many other areas come together for a supported student experience, and they all make a tremendous difference in a student’s college decision from day one.

The University’s Board of Trustees approved for the sixth year this fall a tuition freeze that allows UWA’s tuition to remain among the lowest in the state.

“The cost of living is at the forefront of students’ and parents’ minds, and this extended tuition freeze has proven as critical as ever in demonstrating UWA’s commitment to providing an affordable education while effectively managing resources,” Tucker said.

Tucker noted that continued unpredictability and challenges loom for most higher education institutions, but that UWA is committed to keeping students on track in their educational pursuits despite the economic woes that students and their families inevitably face as inflation continues.