The University of Nevada, Reno welcomed 19,934 undergraduate and graduate students to campus this fall. This reflects a 6.2 percent increase over the fall 2013 enrollment of 18,776. These numbers reveal the second-largest enrollment jump for the University; the first took place in 2001 when enrollment grew by 1,167 students, which this year's enrollment numbers narrowly missed by nine students.

Accounting for this large increase is a notable fall-to-fall retention rate of 82 percent, 2 percent higher than 2013's retention rate of 80 percent. Retention rates are calculated based on the number of students returning following their freshman year.  

Undergraduate student enrollment increased 6.7 percent this year from 15,310 last fall to 16,330 this fall. Freshmen account for 3,387 students, a 9.8 percent increase over last fall's 3,086 students.   Graduate student enrollment is comparable with 2,820 students enrolled, versus 2,819 last fall. Last fall, graduate enrollment saw a decrease of 3 percent.

Students continue to embrace a culture of completion as is evident by a 9.5 percent increase in full-time equivalent undergraduate students, which indicates more students are taking 15 or more credits a semester.

"As the University continues to grow, it is important for us to stress student success and emphasize the students' ultimate goal of graduation," University President Marc Johnson said. "Graduating students and preparing them for the workforce of tomorrow is our number one priority. In addition to increased enrollment rates, our graduation rates also continue to climb which tangibly shows the strides we are making. "    

Diversity of the student body also continues to increase. This year, underrepresented students comprise 33 percent of the total enrollment, compared to 31 percent last year.

As the University's student population continues to grow, with the goal of reaching 22,000 students in the coming years, planning is underway for what's needed on campus to make this happen.  

"There are many aspects under consideration as our campus continues to grow," Johnson said. "In addition to new campus facilities, our strategic and master plans will guide the addition of faculty positions, improved faculty to student ratios and further development of campus infrastructure."  

This year's enrollment numbers add to the University's progress as it recently learned it was again ranked in the top tier of the best national universities by U.S. News & World Report.  

"The University of Nevada, Reno is a quality school with valuable programs and services, research and education," Johnson said. "I take pride in what our faculty, staff and students continue to accomplish and believe we're going to see many great things to come."