By News and Media Relations

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 2, 2025 – UTRGV set a first-day enrollment record for the sixth consecutive year Tuesday, welcoming 35,812 students to open the Fall 2025 semester.

The milestone coincides with the university’s 10th anniversary, a decade in which enrollment has grown by more than 26% and UTRGV has emerged as one of the fastest-growing universities in the nation.

“Marking our 10th anniversary with a sixth straight record is a powerful statement about who we are and where we’re headed,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. “UTRGV delivers a flagship-level education that’s affordable and life-changing. We like to call UTRGV The Future of Texas – and this momentum shows why.”

Celebrating UTRGV's 10th anniversary with a sixth consecutive record highlights the university's commitment to affordable, life-changing education.

MORE HISTORIC MILESTONES ON DAY ONE

UTRGV marked several additional milestones on the first day:

• Largest freshman class ever – More than 7,200 incoming freshmen, ranking fourth in Texas behind Texas A&M, UT Austin and Texas State.
• Largest doctoral enrollment – More than 680 doctoral students, a 176% increase from UTRGV’s inaugural year in 2015.
• Highest student success rates – First-year retention at 80.1%, marking the first time in school history rates have topped 80% for three consecutive years.

Dr. Magdalena Hinojosa, executive vice president for Strategic Initiatives and Student Affairs & deputy to the President, said the numbers reflect more than size – they highlight UTRGV’s growing reputation and strength in keeping students on the path to graduation.

“Enrollment growth like this doesn’t happen by simply admitting more students – it happens because more of the students we admit are choosing UTRGV, staying here and graduating,” Hinojosa said. “That transformation over our first 10 years shows we’ve become a true university of choice in Texas – and we’re only going to build on that momentum in the decade ahead.” 

UTRGV proudly welcomes its largest freshman class ever, with more than 7,200 incoming students, ranking fourth in Texas behind Texas A&M, UT Austin and Texas State.

MOMENTUM BEFORE DAY ONE

The first day capped off a historic week for UTRGV:

• Ranked No. 1 in Texas (third straight year) and No. 7 in the nation by Washington Monthly, the highest national placement in university history.
• The inaugural football game at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, where more than 12,700 fans celebrated the Vaqueros’ first-ever victory, a dominant 66–0 win over Sul Ross State.
• Another enrollment record, continuing UTRGV’s climb as one of the fastest-growing universities in the country. 

“Few universities can say they’ve celebrated a Top 10 national ranking, launched a Division I football program and set new enrollment records all in the span of one week,” Bailey said. “That is the story of UTRGV – constant momentum, relentless ambition and a commitment to shaping the future of Texas. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our students, faculty, staff and the unwavering support of our community.” 

This fall semester, UTRGV celebrates its highest student success rates, with first-year retention reaching 80.1% for the third consecutive year – an historic milestone.

Note: Enrollment figures are not official until the 12th class day.