FUTURE ENROLLMENT GROWTH

At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, our commitment to undergraduate students begins long before they arrive on campus and continues well beyond their first semester. Through strategic investments, innovative partnerships, and data-informed practices, we are expanding access, enhancing support, and elevating the student experience. From enrollment pathways and scholarship optimization to transfer pipelines and regional recruitment, our focus is clear: ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive as a Volunteer—and contribute to a stronger Tennessee.

• Guaranteed Admission & Enrollment Pathways | Leverage UT’s Guaranteed Admission Program and pathway programs to provide clear, transparent entry points for first-year and transfer students. 
• Scholarship & Aid Optimization | Leverage data-driven financial aid strategies to improve access, affordability, and yield across all populations. 
• Transfer Pipeline Development | Scale transfer enrollment through intentional pathway programs, strengthened community college partnerships, improved technology, student support and policy revisions. 
• Retention & Student Success | Prioritize investments in academic and co-curricular support to drive persistence and positive student success outcomes. 
• Regional Recruitment & Brand Expansion | Elevate UT’s presence statewide and in key markets to build upon current momentum and continue to attract high-potential students to fuel Tennessee’s workforce. 
• Distinctive Volunteer Experience | Differentiate UT through compelling campus visits, marketing and communication strategy, and meaningful engagement to build pride, drive enrollment decisions and create life-long affinity.  

As the demand for flexible, high-quality education grows, UT Knoxville is expanding its reach to serve learners wherever they are. With a focus on adult and nontraditional students, UT is launching a robust portfolio of fully online degree programs designed to meet Tennessee’s workforce needs and keep students in-state. By leveraging the strength of the UT brand, investing in student support, and delivering excellence at a competitive cost, we are removing barriers to access and extending the Volunteer experience far beyond campus borders.

• Attracting & Serving New Learners | Adult Learners (age 25+) represent 24% of undergraduate students and over 30% of all college students nationally (NCES). Position UT to expand online offerings to meet the rapidly increasing demand for fully-online programs from younger learners. 
• Location & Demographics | Most online learners prefer to study at a university near where they live, but the Tennessee market is underserved, as evidenced by the 45,021 Tennesseans who study out-of-state in fully-online programs (NC-SARA 2025). Many of these learners can be served by UT with better quality at a competitive cost. 
• Expanded Degree Offerings | The launch of 20+ new degree programs in a fully-online modality will better serve the market, more than tripling the baccalaureate portfolio offered fully online. 
• UT Brand & Quality of Education | The strength of the UT brand, commitment to quality, and best practices for engaging online students will drive demand for fully-online programs, taking the university to the people of Tennessee and beyond. 
• Student Success | Optimizing internal processes and infrastructure to support student success will drive growth through improved retention and enhanced reputation, as demonstrated with our campus-based students.