The University of Michigan’s preliminary enrollment data for fall 2022 shows continued growth in the number of undergraduate applicants seeking admission to the university, as well as gains in diversity for the incoming class.
The Ann Arbor campus’ student body remains one of the largest in the state with more than 51,000 students. Undergraduate enrollment increased to more than 32,600 students, with graduate and professional school enrollment topping 18,400 students. Enrollment data will be made final later this month.
The information was presented at the Sept. 22 Board of Regents meeting by Paul Robinson, associate vice provost for enrollment management and university registrar.
The university continued to see significant interest from prospective first-year and transfer students, with nearly 90,000 applications submitted. Showing the gaining popularity of the university, application volume has increased 30% for first-year students and 26% for transfer students since 2018.
Yield, which refers to the number of students who accept an offer to enroll, also remained high, with 77% of in-state, first-year students and 89% of in-state, transfer students who were offered admission deciding to enroll.
Adele C. Brumfield, vice provost for enrollment management, said there are many reasons why a degree from U-M is in high demand and more people are taking the university up on the offer to attend.
“U-M offers students access to our renowned faculty, tremendous resources and innovative facilities, while embracing a diverse student body with differences in backgrounds, interests and thoughts, which we know creates a richer educational experience,” Brumfield said.
“Incoming students identified that value throughout their interactions with campus during the recruitment cycle, and understood the transformative experience that U-M provides.”
Fall 2022 undergraduate class more diverse
The university welcomed more than 8,300 students to campus this fall, which included more than 7,000 first-year students and 1,300 transfer students from two- and four-year institutions.
Preliminary data shows that the more than 4,200 students hailing from Michigan represent nearly every county in the state, with 71 coming to Ann Arbor from the Upper Peninsula. Additional incoming undergraduate students come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories, and 68 countries.
“U-M students are intelligent, motivated, hardworking, ambitious and ready to be challenged,” said Erica Sanders, director of undergraduate admissions. “Members of the fall 2022 incoming class all maintained the strong grades and academic rigor expected of incoming Michigan students.
“In addition, they are founders of nonprofit organizations, are published in national journals, and are award winners in athletics, debate, business, robotics and the arts, and collectively contributed thousands of service hours. Many also worked and cared for their families.”
Incoming first-year and transfer students, combined, are helping to make the campus community more diverse when compared with fall 2022 with 33% growth (more than 300) in first-generation students and 30% growth (more than 200) in Hispanic or Latino/Latina students. The university also saw 9% growth in Black or African American students and a 2% increase in low-income students.
“The Office of Undergraduate Admissions develops programming on demand geared toward recruiting a diverse campus community that includes students from various backgrounds from across the state and around the globe,” Sanders said.
“While we have seen progress in our work to continually build a representative student body, we know that our focus on encouraging all students that U-M is an accessible option for them must continue.”
Financial aid growth continues to impact enrollment
With student loan debt and federal loan forgiveness dominating public discourse, enrollment-management leaders touted the university’s continued commitment to financial aid as an impetus for steady enrollment.
This fall, preliminary data at disbursement shows that more than $333 million in financial aid — including federal, state, institutional and private funds — was provided to more than 24,000 students. That compares with 22,392 students who received $295 million in aid last year.
Through initiatives like the Go Blue Guarantee, the university’s financial support is positively affecting in-state students from families with incomes of $65,000 or less, 92% of whom receive university grants and scholarships, and 85% pay no tuition to attend.
Brumfield said informing students of the university’s commitment to making a U-M education possible through financial aid and scholarship support is vital, so they can make an informed decision.
“Our admissions and financial aid teams work collaboratively to share financial aid and scholarship awards with students as soon as possible after students are admitted so they can make informed financial choices about their future,” she said.
“The team now shifts its focus to identifying and recruiting the next diverse group of Wolverines and welcoming them as the incoming class for 2023.”
