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MISSOULA – The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥’s enrollment ascent continues, driven by a 3.7% increase in total student headcount – the largest annual growth rate in 14 years.

In total, 10,327 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are enrolled at UM this fall, which is 372 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ higher than 2022.

“With the largest single year of percentage gain in enrollment since 2009, the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ is firmly ingrained in a period of growth,” said UM President Seth Bodnar. “By combining a record student retention rate with three consecutive years of growing incoming classes, our University’s growth trajectory is on a clear and upward path.”

This growth in enrollment is powered by 1,373 new first-year Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, which is the largest incoming class at UM in seven years. Among the first-year Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ on campus, 799 are Montana residents, representing a 12.5% increase of Montana first-year Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ compared to last fall. Since fall 2021, UM’s Montana new, first-year, resident student enrollment has increased by over 20%.

“We have invested significant time and labor to prioritize serving Montana Ñý¼§Ö±²¥,” said Mary Kreta, UM vice president for enrollment management and strategic initiatives. “As a result, UM has enrolled hundreds of additional Montana-resident Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ over the past two years, and we have no plans to take our foot off the gas pedal.”

The growth in first-year Montana-resident Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ underscores the success of UM’s Grizzly Promise initiative. Launched in December 2022, Grizzly Promise provides resident Montana Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ whose families earn less than $50,000 annually the opportunity to attend UM tuition free.

Overall, 66.5% of UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are Montana residents.

UM’s student retention rate rose 2% to 76% this fall, which is an all-time high. This figure measures the rate that Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ persist between their first and second year at UM. Since taking over as president in 2018, Bodnar has helped raise the student retention rate by 8%.

The growth at UM isn’t just on the main campus. Missoula College, UM’s two-year college, enrolled 1,436 total Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ this fall. This is an 18.2% increase over last year – including 393 Missoula-area high school dually enrolled Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ – a 104.7% jump over 2022.

The growth in recent years at UM has also bolstered the University’s finances. This fall, tuition revenue for the University is $43.6 million, which is 11.7% higher than the same period in 2022.

“This strong census report reflects UM’s growing fiscal strength,” said Paul Lasiter, UM vice president for operations and finance. “These additional resources will allow us to continue making the kinds of investments needed to ensure our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ succeed.”

Additionally, UM’s enrolled 827 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ in non-degree, short-term workforce development programs over the past year. These courses are taught in conjunction with local businesses to meet growing labor demands.

UM also has made strong progress in recent years to tear down barriers to education for numerous student populations. In fall 2023, Native American student enrollment is up 5.2%, with 750 Native Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ enrolled. Since 2018, the number of Native Americans enrolled at UM has increased by 30%.

The 2,066 first-generation Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ enrolled at UM represent a 5.6% increase over 2022. Currently, 23.2% of UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are the first in their family to attend college and the number of veteran Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ on campus is up to 335, which is a 20% increase over the previous year.

“UM’s mission is to achieve inclusive prosperity,” Bodnar said. “Our ability to adapt and innovate to accomplish this mission is illustrated by the numerous ways we are meeting the needs of our state. With Montana’s largest graduate school, dual-enrollment population and workforce development programs, we are ensuring every Montanan has a pathway to access the education and training needed to secure a higher-paying job.”

Other data points found in the fall 2023 enrollment census include:

• 1,833 graduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, making UM the largest graduate and professional student population in the state.
• 261 law school Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, a 4.4% increase over 2022.
• 2,123 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ on federal PELL grants, an 8.7% increase over 2022.
• a 9.2% increase in number of Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ served with disabilities.

UM’s fall 2023 census report is available online.

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