UC’s latest enrollment data is out, and the numbers are good for California. In fact, this fall UC enrolled more students — and more Californians — than ever before.
At just shy of 300,000 graduate and undergraduate students across its 10 campuses, the University of California enrolled the biggest and most diverse student body in its history for fall 2024. Among undergraduates, there were significant gains for in-state students, transfers and students from underrepresented groups, highlighting years of partnership between UC and the state to increase opportunity for Californians. In all, UC undergraduate enrollment rose by 1.2 percent to land at 236,070.
Graduate student enrollment also grew by 1.6 percent, to 63,219 students. The growth keeps UC’s graduate student population at 21 percent of total enrollment, a reflection of the university’s robust support for advanced education and research.
“The University of California is committed to expanding access and opportunity, helping our state’s brightest students from all backgrounds realize the value and promise of a UC degree,” said President Michael V. Drake, M.D. “These enrollment figures reflect the State’s investment in California students and the dedication of our staff, faculty and campus leaders to providing a world-class education.”
Fall headcount enrollment
| Fall 2023 | Fall 2024 | Year-over-year change (#) | Year-over-year change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total* | 295,573 | 299,407 | +3,834 | 1.3% |
| Undergraduate | 233,272 | 236,070 | +2,798 | 1.2% |
| California resident | 194,808 | 198,718 | +3,910 | 2.0% |
| Nonresident | 38,464 | 37,352 | -1,112 | -2.9% |
| Graduate | 62,229 | 63,219 | +990 | 1.6% |
| New undergraduate California resident** | 60,007 | 60,644 | +637 | 1.1% |
| First-year | 42,108 | 41,950 | -158 | -0.4% |
| Transfer | 17,850 | 18,653 | +803 | 4.5% |
| Undergraduate: Underrepresented groups | 73,691 | 76,259 | +2,568 | 3.5% |
*Includes postbaccalaureate students
**Includes a small number of “other” new students not identified as first-year or transfer students
Expanding opportunity for Californians
For the fourth year in a row, UC increased California undergraduate enrollment while decreasing numbers of out-of-state students. Out-of-state enrollment caps combined with funding support from the state are helping drive this trend, especially at UC’s most in-demand campuses.
For fall 2024 the number of enrolled California undergrads reached a new record of 198,718 students, rising by 2 percent. At the same time, nonresident undergraduate enrollment declined, dropping from 16.5 to 15.8 percent. Strong in-state enrollment is about more than just helping California students get a great education — it translates into significant economic and social impact for all of California in the years ahead by increasing the state’s highly skilled workforce and improving the economic outlook for their families and communities.
Unlike other universities that struggled to enroll African American and Latino students this year after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in 2023, at UC the number of students from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education has also increased. African American student enrollment rose by 4.6 percent, American Indian student enrollment by 12.9 percent and Latino student enrollment by 3.1 percent — progress that underscores UC’s commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment that reflects California.
Enrollment of low-income students who qualify for federal Pell grants also grew by 9.1 percent. Low-income students now make up 36.3 percent of the UC undergraduate population, up from 33.7 percent last year. The increase is connected to an overall jump in the number of students who qualified for federal financial aid due to recent changes in Pell eligibility requirements. Still, UC enrolls a higher share of low-income students than comparable 4-year universities and offers one of the best financial aid programs in the country. In fact, 68 percent of UC’s California undergrads receive grants and scholarships, with 53 percent paying no tuition at all.
UC’s enrollment trends show how the university is expanding access to higher education in the state. Last year’s first-year class was the largest on record, and now UC has enrolled even more first-year students for fall 2024, creating a wave of growth that will ripple forward into more college graduates in the years to come.
Big gains for transfer students
Fall 2024 enrollment jumped by 4.5 percent for transfer students, bringing the share of new UC undergraduates who started their higher ed as transfers to 31 percent. It’s a number that reflects UC’s longstanding commitment to growing opportunity for California community college students, expanding access through resources such as the recently launched transfer hub.
All nine undergraduate campuses offer a range of resources for high school and community college students considering transfer, from yearlong prep programs to campus visits and more. For enrolled transfer students, campuses offer tailored housing, community spaces and academic supports. The result: transfer students succeed at UC. They graduate at high rates (89 percent vs. 86 percent for UC students who start as first-years and 55 percent for transfer students nationally) and excel in the workforce. Within a decade of completing their UC degree, most community college transfer students working in California count among the top third of income earners in the state.
A partnership with the state
The historic enrollment gains are part of larger efforts to boost the numbers of California degree holders. In 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom and UC announced a multiyear compact to support shared goals. With the legislature’s support, the plan includes state budget increases over 5 years that allow the university to fund a multifaceted strategy to increase in-state enrollment, boost resources to help underrepresented groups achieve academic success, and expand college access and affordability for struggling students and families across the state.
The compact with the governor aligns with the university’s 2030 goals, which include closing equity gaps that disproportionately affect low-income, underrepresented and first-generation college students, with a target of producing 1.2M undergraduate and graduate degree holders by 2030. UC has implemented a wide range of innovative programs to deliver on the compact and help more Californians get more degrees more quickly, including K–12 pipeline programs, summer programs for incoming students, redesigned academic supports, new advising models and increased access to online courses.
Reflecting on the historic enrollment gains, Han Mi Yoon-Wu, associate vice provost for Systemwide Undergraduate Admissions, said: “The students behind these numbers come from all corners of California and are proof that there are many paths to a UC education. The University of California is committed to making UC accessible to the best students. Our efforts are guided by the University’s compact with the governor, and we are grateful for the ongoing support of the state legislature in helping us fulfill this promise.”
