Tarrant County colleges see fall enrollment growth

Tarrant County’s universities and community college saw enrollment growth this fall, according to the schools’ data released this month.

The University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University and Texas Wesleyan University each enrolled their largest-ever incoming classes, while Tarrant County College saw its fourth consecutive year of increased enrollment.

Here’s what the numbers show:

Tarrant County College

TCC enrolled 49,393 students across its six campuses so far this fall.

“These enrollment gains represent bold dreams of better futures and lives forever changed,” Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said in a release. “Students find value here. We’re honored that they do.”

This number is expected to increase after registration for the college’s second eight-week term ends Oct. 16.

During an Aug. 21 board meeting, college trustees approved a $415 million operating budget that included an expected nearly $71 million in tuition revenue, helping to offset a drop in local property tax revenue.

University of Texas at Arlington

UTA’s freshman class was 5,126 students, up 7.6% from last year.

“A UTA degree has never been more valued or sought after by students from across Texas and beyond,” university President Jennifer Cowley said in a news release. 

Total enrollment at UTA reached 42,710.

The number of graduate students dropped by 4% to 10,312. The school saw a 30% decrease in international graduate students from 4,022 to 2,803. 

That was lower than the 40% decrease projected in the UT System budget but still consequential. 

International students, who often pay full sticker price to attend universities in the United States, make up a significant source of revenue.

However, the drop in international students enrolled in graduate programs was offset by an uptick of such students seeking their bachelor’s, which rose by 20.6%. 

Universities across the country expected a drop in international enrollment this fall after many students had their visas suddenly in limbo in the spring, including many at local schools. Then prospective foreign students faced difficulties in obtaining visa appointments and a slower approval process as their social media accounts are reviewed, according to news reports.

Texas Christian University

TCU enrolled 2,754 freshmen, a 12% increase from last fall.

“This unprecedented class is more than a milestone,” Chancellor Daniel Pullin said in a release. “It reflects our students’ belief in TCU’s mission and their desire to be part of something bigger. It’s proof of our momentum and a preview of what’s ahead.”

The school is rolling out its 10-year strategic plan, which calls for increasing enrollment by 5,000 students.

Freshman enrollment has seen net growth over the past decade, with this year’s bump a 33% increase from 10 years ago.

TCU’s total enrollment reached 12,980.

Texas Wesleyan University

Texas Wesleyan has a freshman class of 501 students.

Overall enrollment at the school grew 10% over last year, totaling 2,792 students.

The increase may be attributed in part to the support offered to students through the TXWES Tuition Promise program, Lauren Findley, vice president of enrollment management, said in a release.

The program, which began this fall, offers scholarships covering remaining tuition costs to full-time, first-year students from Texas who are eligible for the full Pell Grant. Pell Grants are federal financial aid based on need that do not need to be repaid.

Students in the program can receive the scholarship for up to four years if they maintain eligibility requirements.

During the 2022-23 school year, the most recent year for which federal data is available, 50% of Texas Wesleyan undergraduates received Pell Grants.

“We are proud to open doors for all students, ensuring they thrive at Texas Wesleyan beyond enrollment,” Findley said in the release.

McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org. 

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