University of Mississippi Enrolls a Record 28,960 Students in Fall 2026, a Fourth Straight Record and a 2 Percent Increase: First Time Freshman Class of 5,363 Is the Third Largest Ever
Oxford, Mississippi — The University of Mississippi enrolled a record 28,960 students this fall across all its campuses, a 2 percent increase over fall 2025, the university announced on November 2. This is the fourth consecutive year the university has achieved record enrollment and its sixth consecutive year of growth. This year student body represents all 82 Mississippi counties, all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and 93 countries.
The school welcomed its third largest first time freshman class of 5,363 students, driven by a 6.2 percent increase in students from Mississippi, the university said. Graduate School enrollment increased for the second consecutive year, reaching 2,468 students, a 3.1 percent increase. The University of Mississippi Medical Center enrolled 3,270 students, residents and fellows, a 2.7 percent increase, with growth in all six schools and the largest jumps in the School of Population Health, up 34.7 percent, and the School of Nursing, up 6.7 percent.
On retention, 87.6 percent of last year freshmen returned for their sophomore year this fall, the highest rate in the state and 18.5 percentage points above the national average of 69.1 percent, marking the sixth straight year above 85 percent, the university said. The six year graduation rate stands at 74.4 percent, also the highest in the state and 13.3 percentage points above the most recent national average of 61.1 percent.
Ole Miss is an institution in high demand, and our six years of consecutive growth are proof of that, Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Noel Wilkin said retention and graduation rates are two of the most important indicators of student success, and credited the persistence of students and the work of faculty and staff.
(Source: University of Mississippi)
Source: University of Mississippi
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：密西西比大学学生行走在校园中。照片：Srijita Chattopadhyay／密西西比大学数字影像服务。 / Photo: Students walk to class at the University of Mississippi. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay / Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services.
