Led by the largest freshman class in school history, Alabama A&M University has reported the largest enrollment in its history.

According to the university, 6,633 students are enrolled for the fall 2023 semester – a 10% increase over the 2022-23 academic year.

Alabama A&M said the enrollment is supported by significant gains in new and returning students, with a 5% increase in the retention of first-time, full-time students, which reached 64%.

“As the reputation of our University continues to grow and the return on investment is proven by our students and alumni, we expect to attract more talented students to The Hill,” Alabama A&M University President Dr. Daniel K. Wims said. “This is an exciting milestone as we march toward our 150th anniversary in 2025.”

The university said there are 2,002 freshmen and 2,567 total new students – the largest incoming class in its 148-year history. The incoming class, made up of 91% African American students and 60% women, has an average GPA of 3.1 and includes a record number of new international students, 175.

This fall, the University also welcomed 105 students through a new partnership with Huntsville City Schools, where students are dually enrolled with both HCS and AAMU simultaneously.

“Record student enrollment is a signal of the strength of Alabama A&M and what we have to offer students and families,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Braque Talley.

Talley says creating more support and services for students is essential to the continued growth of Alabama’s largest HBCU.

“Students who persist to year two are far more likely to matriculate to graduation,” he said. “That’s why we are so focused on the first-year experience. This year, we have 80 percent of our first-year students living on campus.

We’re keeping them engaged and continuing to bring about additional support because of the proven connection this has on retention and resilience.”

AAMU’s record numbers buck a trend of declining enrollment across the country. Nationwide, undergraduate college enrollment dropped 8% from 2019-22, with declines even after returning to in-person classes, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse.

“Our strong academic programs make the case for Alabama A&M,” said Dr. John D. Jones, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “We believe families will continue to recognize the value and strength of an AAMU education.

“This record-breaking cohort sets the stage for our work to continue to attract talented students to The Hill.”