The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque reported a surge in enrollment on Sept. 5, including its largest-ever first-year class. In fall 2023, the number of new first-year student registrations at the Albuquerque campus increased by 3.1 percent, UNM said in a press release.
“The University of New Mexico continues to see enrollment growth, and it’s especially pleasing to see the record number of students in our incoming first-year class,” said Dan D. García, vice president for enrollment management, the press release said.
UNM's fall 2023 first-year class has expanded by 110 students compared to the previous year. This incoming class stands out for its remarkable diversity, the release said, with 71 percent of new students representing traditionally underrepresented populations. Within this group, Hispanic students make up a significant portion, comprising 54 percent of the class and showing a 3.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. The entering freshmen class will top 3,500 students in fall 2023 for just the second time since 2013, the press release said.
Preliminary total enrollment is 22,852 students, reflecting a notable increase of 752 students, equaling 3.4 percent growth. The enrollment numbers at three of UNM's branch campuses, Gallup, Taos, and Valencia, have shown positive growth this fall. Together, these branch campuses have witnessed a collective increase of 369 students, up 6.1 percent from last year, the press release said.
“It is so encouraging to see that our first-year enrollment has not only increased for the fourth year in a row but will also likely be our largest class of Lobo freshmen ever,” UNM President Garnett S. Stokes said in the press release. “I am especially pleased to see that our first-year class continues to be exceptionally diverse and includes such a large number of in-state students. We are truly proud to be the University for New Mexico.”