![University of Alabama Enrolls Largest-Ever Freshman Class](https://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2021/09/attachment-2108030_first_day_breakfast_022.jpg?w=980&q=75)
University of Alabama Enrolls Largest-Ever Freshman Class
The University of Alabama enrolled almost 7,600 first-year students this semester, the largest-ever freshman class in the school's nearly 200-year history.
In a press release Monday morning, the University said there are 38,320 students taking classes at the Capstone this fall, including 7,593 freshmen.
![Tuscaloosa Thread logo](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2020/07/512-1.jpg?w=100)
The increase in the quantity of students has not led to a decrease in quality, though -- this freshman class includes 281 National Merit Scholars and 2,053 enrollees in UA's Honors College.
Almost 3,000 freshmen are in-state students, meaning less than 40 percent of the class are Alabama natives. 22 percent of the first-year students identified as minorities, the University said.
UA also announced that a record-high 6,600 students are enrolled in graduate, law and medical schools this year.
“This impressive group of freshmen chose to come to the University because of our unwavering commitment to helping students succeed in and out of the classroom,” said UA President Stuart Bell. “The Capstone’s reputation for academic excellence as the state’s flagship institution is widely esteemed, and this diverse and bright group of students will elevate themselves and the University to even greater accomplishments.”
What Are the Signature Drinks From Every State?
Top Stories From The Tuscaloosa Thread (9/06-9/10)
More From Tuscaloosa Thread
![Minor Northport Bridge Still Closed for Repair of Crash Damage](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/07/attachment-IMG_6535.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tuscaloosa Restaurant & Birmingham Distillery Release New, Exclusive Tequila](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/07/attachment-IMG_6523.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Police Searching Jack Warner Parkway for Driver Who Bailed After Chase](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/02/attachment-attachment-state-troopers-3_nl-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rider Killed in Thursday Motorcycle Wreck in Walker County](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2023/06/attachment-IMG_0176.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Diners Flocking to Northport’s Now-Open Lost Pizza Co.](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/07/attachment-LPCo-Crowd.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Northport Councilman Says $350 Million University Beach Resort Can’t Be Stopped](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/07/attachment-Aiken-Town-Hall-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former Lake View Mayor Now Accused of Producing Child Pornography](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/07/attachment-Paul-Calhoun-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former UA Student Gets 25 Years in Prison for Sextortion of Children](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/07/attachment-Yeager.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tuscaloosa Red Lobster Permanently Closed Amid Brand Bankruptcy](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/07/attachment-IMG_6423.jpg?w=980&q=75)