THEC Releases 2025 Tennessee Higher Education Fact Book Highlighting Enrollment Gains and Improved Student Success

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is pleased to announce the release of the 2025 Tennessee Higher Education Fact Book, featuring notable gains in student enrollment and retention across the state’s public postsecondary institutions.

Enrollment in credit-bearing courses at Tennessee’s public community colleges and universities increased by 2.3% in fall 2024 compared to fall 2023, representing nearly 5,000 additional students.

Several community colleges reached their highest headcounts since before the pandemic disruptions in 2020 and 2021. These schools include Chattanooga State, Columbia State, Motlow State, Northeast State, and Pellissippi State Community Colleges.

In addition to attracting new students, campuses also reported improvements in student retention. Institutions such as Dyersburg State, Nashville State, and Northeast State Community Colleges, as well as Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Memphis, and the University of Tennessee at Martin, saw multiple percentage-point increases in their fall-to-fall retention rates from 2022 to 2023.

Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) also continued their upward trajectory in credential production. In the 2023–2024 academic year, TCATs awarded more than 8,000 certificates and diplomas—an increase of over 500 from 2022–2023, and more than 1,000 compared to 2021–2022.

“These gains in enrollment and retention reflect the resilience of our students and the commitment of our institutions to student success,” said Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC Executive Director. “As we continue to align higher education with workforce needs, it’s encouraging to see more Tennesseans earning credentials that position them for long-term opportunity and economic mobility. The data in this year’s Fact Book tells a powerful story of progress across our state.”

For a comprehensive overview of student participation and success across Tennessee’s postsecondary system, we invite you to explore the 2025 Tennessee Higher Education Fact Book. In addition to enrollment and graduation data, the Fact Book offers insights into student preparation, dual enrollment, program popularity, job placement, licensure and certification rates, financial trends, affordability, and more.