UA Little Rock Celebrates Gains in Freshman, Undergraduate, and Corporate Partnership Enrollment

With classes underway, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is on track to see one of the largest freshman increases in its history, with freshmen enrollment up 33.3%, or 203 students, over last year. 

Growth extends well beyond the freshman class. Sophomore and junior enrollments also increased, contributing to a 4.1% rise in total undergraduate enrollment. The enrollment surge marks the largest percent increase in overall undergraduate enrollment growth at UA Little Rock since 2009. Additionally, on-campus housing occupancy climbed 9.2% compared to last fall, with more students choosing to live and learn in the heart of Little Rock.

UA Little Rock’s Corporate Partnership Program also continues its rapid expansion. The program provides opportunities for employees of Corporate Partners to reskill and upskill at a lowered tuition rate. This program enrolled 474 students this fall from more than 120 local and regional corporate partners. This represents a 40.7% increase in participation over last year. By creating pathways for working professionals, the program strengthens workforce development across Arkansas while expanding access to higher education.

At the graduate level, overall enrollment is projected to decline 9.5% (141 students), primarily due to a drop in international enrollment. However, several programs, including Engineering and Engineering Technology, Mass Communication, Social Work, and Criminal Justice and Criminology, reported notable graduate-level growth.

“The continued momentum we are seeing this fall is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff, the hard work of our students, and the distinctive programs that make UA Little Rock an outstanding choice,” said Dr. Christina S. Drale, UA Little Rock chancellor. “It’s exciting to see so many students choosing to launch their futures here in Little Rock, knowing their contributions will strengthen our communities and support growth across Arkansas and the region.”

This growth is fueled by stronger connections with schools, communities, and industry partners, creating new pathways for students to access and succeed in higher education.

“These tremendous enrollment gains reflect the growing number of students and families recognizing the value and quality of a UA Little Rock education,” added Dr. W. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. “We’re especially proud of the multi-year growth in our freshman class, which will have a lasting positive impact on our campus community.”

The growth reflects both the strength of our academic programs and our commitment to affordability, as many UA Little Rock students continue taking advantage of affordability initiatives like the Trojan Guarantee and Half-Off Scholarship. These programs provide Arkansans with an affordable way to access a high-quality education. In fall 2024, 615 students benefited from these initiatives. Since their inception, the programs have supported 1,425 students, resulting in $5,666,400 in total savings — an average of $3,184 per recipient.  

UA Little Rock anticipates enrolling approximately 8,000 students this fall, representing a 1.2% increase over last year. Student semester credit hours are expected to rise by 4.0%, and full-time equivalent enrollment is projected to grow by 3.9%.