The University of Tulsa is committed to providing a transformative college experience for undergraduates from the moment they step on campus, resulting in near-record levels of student enrollment continuity.
Nearly 99% of traditional freshmen (defined as first-time, full-time undergraduates) who enrolled in fall 2023 returned for the spring semester. That is the highest percentage since the university began tracking the statistic.
“TU is in expansion mode,” said President Brad R. Carson. “Exciting things are happening across our campus.”
Here are just a few examples of the ways The University of Tulsa goes above and beyond for its newest students:
- Tulsa offers small class sizes (an average of 13 students per course), a student-to-faculty ratio of just 9:1, and the most National Merit scholars per capita in the country. The result is an attentive, unique environment where students can thrive, and that extends beyond the classroom.
- The Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge offers dozens of unique experiences to students in every discipline as early as their first semester.
- Each incoming undergraduate is paired with a peer mentor to assist them navigate their first year. Freshmen are also matched with a student success coach who is more than an academic adviser. They provide support for students beyond their studies, connecting them with campus resources such as health care, financial wellness, internships, and more.
- All new undergrads receive free textbooks, free tutoring, and free admission to all athletic events. Students also earn credit hours in “First Year Experience” classes while learning how to maximize their time at TU.
- A professor and her family lives on campus as part of the faculty-in-residence program, allowing for formal and informal interactions and building a bridge between the classroom and student life.
- Food delivery robots shuttle Starbucks coffee to the residence halls in the morning and Chick-fil-A to study halls at night.
The University of Tulsa creates a smooth, friction-free on-ramp to the college journey for undergraduate students, so they feel welcome and confident. The 99% retention rate reflects the success of those efforts. And while many universities are facing shrinking enrollment, Tulsa is on track to grow even more in 2024.