UofL welcomes record first-year class

The University of Louisville’s first-year enrollment for the fall 2022 semester is its highest on record at 2,944, an increase of 9% over last year, according to preliminary figures released Sept. 7.

Led by increases in the numbers of Black and Latino/Hispanic students, as well as students from outside Kentucky, UofL has welcomed more first-year Cardinals this fall than ever before, said Lori Stewart Gonzalez, interim president.

“More than 65% of these students are living on campus, many in our new, state-of-the-art residence halls,” Gonzalez said. “We are honored they chose us and are looking forward to a productive, successful year.”

Black students total 16.47% of first-time, baccalaureate degree-seeking students, up from 13.99% last year, while Latino/Hispanic students total 8.49% of that group, up from 7% last year.

The most popular majors are business, engineering, education, psychology, nursing and biology. More than a third -- 34.38% -- are pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics or health field (STEM+H).

Other highlights of the Class of 2026 are:

• 45.52% have some college credits

• 5.54% are Asian

• 5.84% identify as multi-racial

• 65.22% live on campus

• 35.12% are first-generation college students

• 27.58% are from outside Kentucky, representing 37 states

• 3.6 is the average high school grade-point average, based on a 4.0 scale

• 237 are part-time.

UofL this year completed construction of a Belknap Campus residence hall complex primarily for first-year students. The new buildings are in the heart of Belknap Campus near classroom buildings, the Swain Student Activities Center, Ekstrom Library and the Interfaith Center. In addition, a new Belknap Campus residence hall, Denny Crum Hall, opened near the basketball practice facility on Floyd Street.