By News and Media Relations

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JAN. 20, 2026 – Building on the momentum of one of the most successful fall semesters in its history, and continuing its 10th anniversary celebration, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley opened the Spring 2026 semester Tuesday with record-breaking first-day enrollment.

UTRGV welcomed 32,429 students on the first day of spring classes, the highest first-day spring enrollment in the university’s history and a 2.8% increase from last spring. 

The first-day total included a record 4,569 graduate students (3,903 master’s and 666 doctoral students).

“UTRGV’s continued growth is a direct reflection of the Rio Grande Valley’s unwavering support and belief in our mission,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “As we enter our second decade, our focus is on ensuring this momentum delivers lasting results for our students and communities. We’re proud to be growing with the region we serve and remain committed to being a university where every student, every family and every community sees themselves in our success.”

BUILDING ON A LANDMARK FALL 2025

The spring milestone follows a Fall 2025 semester that opened UTRGV’s 10th anniversary year with record-setting momentum, including:

• Record fall first-day enrollment: 35,812 students, the sixth consecutive fall first-day record.
• Philanthropy milestone: Surpassed $300 million in total fundraising, with an endowment reaching $218.5 million.
• Research achievement: Exceeded $100 million in annual research expenditures for the first time ($103.7 million), advancing progress toward Carnegie R1 aspirations.
• Historic inaugural football season: UTRGV went 9–3 (7-0 at home), the most wins ever by an inaugural FCS program since Division I college football split into two levels in 1978. Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium sold out every home game, with tailgating, the marching band, the drill team, and expanded spirit programs helping define the game-day experience.
• Community engagement: Retained the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an accolade that emphasizes the university’s role in strengthening community ties and addressing local challenges.
• National chess prominence: Defeated Harvard in the last match of the Pan-American event to earn a return trip to the President’s Cup.
• Commencement celebration: Recognized more than 3,500 graduates during Fall 2025 commencement ceremonies.
• Valley health milestone: Celebrated the grand opening of the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center in McAllen.

To learn more about UTRGV and its 10^th anniversary, visit www.utrgv.edu/10. 

Students at the UTRGV campus in Brownsville on the first day of the Spring 2026 semester. (UTRGV Photo by Victoria Brito Morales)