University of Montevallo Welcomes 583 Freshmen on First Day of Fall 2025 Semester

August 21, 2025

First-time freshman arrivals at the University of Montevallo have been consistent the past two years and UM retained nearly 80 percent of students who arrived on campus in 2024 on the first day of classes for the fall 2025 semester starting Aug. 20.

After welcoming 592 freshmen on the first day a year ago, which was the largest first-day cohort in a decade, the University has 583 freshmen arriving on campus this week. A large freshman class in each of the past two years indicates UM continues to be an attractive option among prospective students seeking postsecondary education in the state of Alabama.

The University’s 79 percent retention rate from fall 2024 to fall 2025 is above average for higher education institutions based on persistence and retention research conducted by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. UM has implemented new initiatives focused on continuing gains in retention, including a new first-year UM 101 course to help acclimate new students to campus. The results are paying off, with an increased retention rate providing evidence students and their families are confident in what the University has to offer.

“The University of Montevallo is deeply committed to supporting new students as they transition to college by offering high quality teaching, welcoming experiences, co-curriculars, and auxiliary programs, and the wrap around services correlated with student success,” said Dr. Courtney Bentley, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

The University added a new nursing program prior to the 2024-2025 academic year and welcomed its first cohort of students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. UM now has 70 students who have declared nursing as their major with an interest in earning a BSN in the University’s pre-licensure program. The combination of a nursing degree and the University’s strong liberal arts foundation makes UM a key partner in an effort to reduce the shortage of nurses within the state of Alabama, especially in rural communities.

The University has been named a College of Distinction for the 14th consecutive year and recently received an A+ for its math teacher preparation by the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Learn how Montevallo means more opportunities by scheduling a campus tour with undergraduate admissions or meeting with a graduate admissions counselor today.