Jefferson County’s only university admitted a total of 80% of applicants for fall 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those who were admitted, 13% enrolled.
At least 2,928 people applied to Jefferson County college in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 2,586 students enrolled in the university, including 1,519 in undergraduate and 1,067 in graduate programs. Only 4% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (74%) and Black or African American (9%) students.
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, Carson-Newman University stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 2,586 students.
U.S. college enrollment has been in a downward trend since peaking at around 18.1 million students in 2010. Recent increases offered some relief, but experts project a steeper decline in 2025.
This decline is likely due to two main factors. First, the pool of young adults is shrinking as birth rates have fallen nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. Second, the rising cost of higher education, including skyrocketing student loan debt. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report shows that more than half of Americans think a four-year degree is not worth the cost.
Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals which do not equal 100%.
| Institution | # of Applicants | # of Admitted Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson-Newman University | 2,928 | 2,342 | 2,586 |
