TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A record number of students is enrolled at The University of Alabama this fall as enrollment topped 20,000 for the first time in the University’s history.

At 20,333 students, total enrollment is up 3.6 percent, or 700 students, over fall 2002.

“Enrollment is at record levels and, academically, our students are among the most highly qualified ever to enter the University,” said UA President Robert E. Witt.

“This increase in numbers reflects the commitment of our faculty, staff, students and alumni in reaching out to top students, both in state and in the surrounding region, and is a tribute to the dedication of our new Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Roger Thompson and his staff.”

The freshman class numbers 3,075, up almost 16 percent over last year. The class includes some 430 students who are enrolled in the University Honors program -- an increase of 35 percent from 2002 and by far the largest number of new freshmen ever to enroll in this prestigious program. The average freshman ACT score is 23.8, up slightly from last year’s 23.7, and well above the national average of 20.8. More than 50 percent of UA freshmen finished in the top 25 percent of their high school classes.

Graduate student enrollment, totaling 3,763, is up 6.2 percent over fall 2002. In addition, some 1,286 undergraduate students transferred to UA from other colleges and universities, up about 2 percent over last year.

Enrollment totals in UA schools and colleges for 2003 are as follows:

• Arts and Sciences -- 6,650
• Commerce and Business Administration -- 4,233
• Communication and Information Sciences -- 1,954
• Community Health Sciences -- 82
• Education -- 1,574
• Engineering -- 1,891
• Human Environmental Sciences -- 1,716
• Law -- 596
• Nursing -- 791
• Social Work -- 390