Tucson Standard

The University of Arizona is set to welcome its largest and most diverse class in university history next week, with over 9,300 first-year students, including a record 4,900 Arizona residents. Classes are scheduled to begin on Monday.

This year, the university received 58,160 first-year student applications, marking the highest number in its history. The new enrollment figures represent a nearly 5% increase from 2022 and a 10% rise from 2021. These statistics exclude students at the University of Arizona Global Campus but include those enrolled in Arizona Online.

The institution has seen notable growth in enrollment across various counties within the state. Coconino County experienced a 19% increase, while Maricopa and Pima counties both saw a 3% rise since last year. Yavapai County's enrollment surged by 75%.

"The University of Arizona offers so much opportunity for its students," said Kasey Urquídez, vice president of enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admissions. "With our wide variety of majors, you can come here and do anything."

This year's incoming class is also the most diverse in the university's history: half of the students self-identify as ethnicities other than white. There was a significant increase in Hispanic/Latinx students by 6% and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students by 29%, compared to last year. Additionally, approximately 28% of the incoming class are first-generation college students.

"The University of Arizona community is proud to welcome the largest and most diverse class in university history,” said University President Robert C. Robbins. "These accomplished students exemplify the academic rigor, determination and spirit of exploration that makes this university so great."

Interest in attending U of A has grown significantly, with a record number of applications representing a 3% increase over last year and a 12% increase since 2022. Urquídez attributed this growth to concerted efforts by the enrollment team and campus partners.

"As a public land-grant university, our first job is to ensure that state residents know about their opportunities here," Urquídez stated.

Initiatives such as Arizona Road Trip have played an essential role in attracting new students. This program allows high school sophomores and juniors to visit U of A for half a day to learn more about university programs directly from current students.

Programs like these have proven effective; for instance, there was a significant rise in enrollments from Ironwood Ridge High School (43%), Sonoran Science Academy (43%), Salpointe Catholic High School (28%), Sunnyside High School (18%), Canyon View High School (74%), and Cactus Shadows High School (61%).

U of A also hosts Admitted Students Day annually for accepted high school seniors to tour campus and engage with future classmates through various activities.

"We want to help students find their way to us," Urquídez emphasized. "We spend considerable time sharing college access opportunities with younger students so they are prepared when it's time for college."

Once classes begin, new students will be formally welcomed through Destination Arizona—a two-day orientation program designed to introduce them to campus resources while offering networking opportunities with fellow newcomers.

While Arizona residents form the majority of incoming first-year students, all U.S states are represented this year with substantial numbers coming from California, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, and Texas. Internationally, most new enrollees hail from India followed by China, Saudi Arabia Mexico Canada

Academically speaking,the incoming class boasts an average unweighted high school GPAof3..49.It includes11 Flinn Scholars—the highest number among state universities—alongside209 National Hispanic Scholars37National African American Scholars18National Indigenous Scholarsand70 National Rural Small TownScholars

The W.A Franke Honors College will welcome over1,.250newstudents thisyear.Themostpopularmajorsforincomingstudentsarebusinessmanagementengineeringpre-nursingmedicineandpsychology

In addition,theuniversitywillalsoover2700newtransferstudentsabout1100whomarestudyingthroughArizonaOnlineaswellas304returningstudents60percentofthisyearsmaincampustransferstudentsselfidentifyasethnicitiesotherthanwhiteand52percentselfidentifyasfirstgenerationcollegestudentsupfrom49percentlastyearMosttransferredfromPimaCommunityCollegefollowedbyCochiseCollegeArizonaWesternCollegeinYumaMesaCommunityCollegeandChandlerGilbertCommunityCollegeThemostpopularmajorsfortransferstudentsarecyberoperationsbusinessmanagementbusinessadministrationpsychologyandappliedcomputing