UWM Enrollment Reaches Record High with Largest Freshman Class in Over a Decade
MILWAUKEE – The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is welcoming its largest incoming freshman class since 2009, signaling continued strength despite national headwinds impacting higher education enrollment. Preliminary figures indicate a total UWM enrollment of 22,613 students, remaining largely consistent with 2024 numbers.
This surge in first-year students arrives as colleges nationwide grapple with declining high school graduation rates and a drop in international student enrollment. While undergraduate numbers are projected to rise slightly, graduate enrollment is expected to decrease modestly. UWM’s success in attracting freshmen underscores the university’s commitment to student support and its reputation for research, access, and community engagement.
The Center for Excellence in teaching and Learning has bolstered staffing and refined teaching methods to ensure students receive the resources needed to succeed. However, early data suggests a potential decrease in international graduate students, a trend UWM is actively assessing.
UWM’s ability to maintain overall enrollment stability is particularly noteworthy given these broader challenges. The university serves a diverse student body and prepares graduates for impactful careers. Final enrollment figures will be confirmed later this fall following the 10th-day census, as reported by UWM’s Office of Assessment and Institutional Research.
