UTRGV hits enrollment milestone, retains title as Texas’ best university

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS– The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley today welcomed its highest first-day enrollment ever, with more than 34,000 students, cementing its status as the No. 1 university in Texas for the second consecutive year, according to Washington Monthly.

After surpassing Texas A&M for the top spot in 2023, UTRGV has defended its title as the best university in the state in the 2024 rankings, with Texas A&M, Rice, UT Arlington and Sam Houston State rounding out the top five.

Nationally, UTRGV climbed two spots to rank 58th among all private and public universities, and advanced one position to 30th among public institutions.

“Coupled with our record-breaking first-day enrollment and retention figures, these milestones underscore our relentless pursuit of excellence and the bright future that lies ahead for our university,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said.

The latest rankings place UTRGV in the company of some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford, Penn, Harvard and Princeton, underscoring the growing recognition of UTRGV’s excellence on a national scale.

MAKING ENROLLMENT HISTORY

The first day of classes for the Fall 2024 semester began this morning with students filling classrooms and study spaces across the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. This is the fifth straight year the university has recorded a first-day enrollment milestone. In Fall 2023, UTRGV’s enrollment exceeded 32,000.

For the first time since opening its doors nearly a decade ago, UTRGV also has set an enrollment record for incoming freshmen, with 6,962. The tally marks UTRGV’s largest-ever incoming freshman class to mark the start of the Fall 2024 semester.

“These remarkable enrollment numbers are a testament to UTRGV’s growing reputation as one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher learning,” said Bailey. “To our students, new and returning, thank you for choosing UTRGV. We are honored to have you and look forward to serving you throughout your academic journey.”

Another enrollment milestone includes the largest doctoral class in the university’s history, with 604 doctoral students joining the Vaquero community. This continues the trend of UTRGV’s first-day graduate student enrollment, which has surpassed 4,000 for a fifth consecutive year.

Enrollment figures are not official until the 12th class day.

Dr. Magdalena Hinojosa, senior vice president for Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs, attributes this record-breaking enrollment to UTRGV’s rapidly growing reputation as the best-value university in Texas. She emphasized that the expansion of academic programs and enhancement of student life opportunities, including the recent approval of a new School of Optometry, the forthcoming construction of a state-of-the-art residence and dining complex in Edinburg, and the highly anticipated additions of UTRGV Football, women’s swimming and diving, and marching band, have generated significant enthusiasm both locally and statewide.

“Our sustained enrollment growth is a powerful reflection of the strength and breadth of our academic offerings, coupled with the palpable excitement surrounding our new football program and the ambitious expansion of our campus facilities,” Hinojosa said. “These achievements firmly establish UTRGV as the preferred university for students from across Texas and beyond, seeking a transformative and comprehensive educational experience.”

Other notable highlights for the Fall 2024 semester include:

• The trailblazing student-athletes of the women’s swimming and diving team, set to debut this fall; and the football team, kicking off its inaugural season in Fall 2025.
• First-year retention rate has soared to an all-time high of 83%, a new university record based on first-day figures.
• Second- and third-year retention figures, based on first-class day data, also are at historic highs.

“Retention rates are crucial indicators of our institution’s health and success,” Bailey said. “This milestone is a powerful testament to the talent and resilience of our students, as well as the dedication and excellence of our faculty and staff. Their commitment to providing a nurturing and challenging environment ensures that every student has the support they need to excel.”

New and returning UTRGV students will be treated to Welcome Week events that include a Picnic with the President, UTRGV Day, The Stomp, Get Involved Fairs and much more.

To check out the schedule of events, visit www.utrgv.edu/welcomeweek.