Carson-Newman announces third-largest enrollment in University’s history

This fall, Carson-Newman University celebrates its third-largest enrollment in its 172-year history. The institution reported a total enrollment of 2,735, marking a nearly 6% increase from 2022.

“Seeing increase in enrollment is always encouraging,” said Carson-Newman President Charles A. Fowler. “While we certainly celebrate historic enrollment this fall, we also celebrate the students who make up this enrollment, their skills, talents and the servant-leaders they will become. They are outstanding in every way, and they are already experiencing the life-changing impact of a C-N education. Their hearts and minds will be shaped by our Christ-centered mission in formative and powerful ways that will prepare them to walk in God’s purpose.”

Carson-Newman’s reach and appeal is evident in this year’s enrollment. Students represent 42 states and 46 countries. Of note, the University welcomed more male students than female in its freshman class for the first time in more than a decade, bucking a national trend where female students make up almost 60% of total undergraduate enrollment.

This year also marked the highest freshman to sophomore retention in more than two decades, indicating students are choosing to continue their college experience at C-N.

The news comes on the heels of significant campus announcements this year. In the spring, C-N broke ground on West Campus Commons, its largest construction project to date and first residence hall complex in two decades. Last month, C-N opened a new three-story, state-of-the-art health sciences building, the Drama and Ted Russell Center. A few weeks later the University announced the opening of C-N’s Nashville Education Center in partnership with First Baptist Church Mt. Juliet and Mt. Juliet Christian Academy.