糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Begins Second Century with Continued Enrollment Growth
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is starting its centennial year with continued enrollment growth, as preliminary fall 2026 figures show increases in both student headcount and credit hours.
After the 11th class day at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, undergraduate and graduate headcount is up 2% and 140 students for fall 2026, with student semester credit hours up 5.1% compared with the same time last year. Undergraduate enrollment continues to lead that growth, with headcount up 3.1%, or around 178 students, and undergraduate credit hours increasing 5.8%, as of September 9th.
Growth is particularly strong among new students. Combined, undergraduate first-time freshman and transfer students are up around 50 students. In all, more than 8,200 students are choosing to call 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock home this fall.聽
鈥淭hese preliminary results show that more students and families are recognizing both the quality and affordability of a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock education,鈥� said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. 鈥淭hat reflects years of work to strengthen the value we offer students through affordability, academic quality, hands-on learning, and the support they need to succeed. We are thrilled to welcome the first fall class of our second century.鈥�
The increase in student semester credit hours is another encouraging sign, Drale said, because it indicates students are enrolling in more coursework as they progress toward their degrees.
鈥淐redit-hour growth matters because it reflects students making meaningful progress toward completing their degrees,鈥� Drale said. 鈥淥ur responsibility now is to make sure every student has the resources and support to thrive from their first day through graduation.鈥�
Students are beginning the fall semester during a time of momentum across academics, research, student success, and athletics. This year鈥檚 students are part of a milestone moment for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, as the university celebrates its centennial and 100 years of expanding educational opportunity and serving Arkansas. This summer also marked the university鈥檚 move into the United Athletic Conference following the baseball program鈥檚 historic season and first appearance in an NCAA Super Regional.
The university also continues expanding opportunities for students through nationally recognized artificial intelligence research, a growing cybersecurity initiative that provides hands-on learning while serving communities across Arkansas, and a new graduate certificate in health informatics that launched this fall.
鈥淪tudents are looking for a university that delivers both opportunity and value,鈥� said Dr. W. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. 鈥淭hese preliminary numbers suggest more students are finding that at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�
While undergraduate enrollment continues to grow, graduate enrollment remains an area of strategic focus. Preliminary graduate headcount is down 3.1%, a decline of less than 40 students, while graduate student semester credit hours are flat. The decline is concentrated primarily among international students. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is responding by strengthening graduate recruitment, adding workforce-focused programs, and increasing financial support. Beginning this fall, minimum graduate assistant stipends increased to $10,000 for master鈥檚 students and $15,000 for doctoral students 鈥� the university鈥檚 largest investment in graduate assistant stipends in more than a decade.
With the fall semester underway, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is focused on helping its growing student body make progress toward graduation. Students have access to academic advising, tutoring, career development, student organizations, and other resources designed to support their success throughout their time at the university.
鈥淓very fall brings a new class of students with their own goals, ambitions, and potential,鈥� Decker said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to have them on campus and to help them take advantage of everything 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has to offer. As we begin our centennial year with more students choosing 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, there鈥檚 tremendous energy around where this university is headed and what we can accomplish together. It鈥檚 an exciting time to be a Trojan.鈥澛�