UNC Asheville Retention Increases 3%. Fall Enrollment Down Due to Helene.

The University of North Carolina Ashevilleannounced its retention rate jumped 3% for Fall 2025, demonstrating students' confidence in their UNC Asheville experience despite the disruptions brought about by Helene. The increase to 75% indicates an upward trend and builds upon UNC Asheville's historically high retention rate in Spring 2025. The data demonstrates that current UNC Asheville students feel a sense of satisfaction, connection, and a recognition of the value in their UNC Asheville experience.

In addition to record retention, the University set record enrollment during the Summer 2025 term, an increase of 56% over Summer 2024. Generous financial support from the NC General Assembly allowed the University to prioritize student success and on-time graduation despite the challenges Helene presented.

"Our increased retention rate and high summer enrollment numbers highlight both the resilience of our students and of UNC Asheville," said Chancellor Kimberly van Noort. "They also show the commitment of our state legislature to support students through our recovery."

Helene's negative impact on UNC Asheville's recruitment efforts is illustrated by its lower enrollment for first-time, first-year students for the Fall 2025 semester. Helene drastically disrupted UNC Asheville's campus operations, completely closing the University for an unprecedented 33 days. The extended shut-down period included delaying critical recruitment efforts and cancelling on-campus tours during a portion of the Fall 2024 semester. Fall recruitment is a crucial time to welcome first-time, first-year students and families to campus and invite them to consider how UNC Asheville may be the best fit for goals and careers.

While enrollment of new students from outside Western North Carolina and out of state was lower than anticipated, first-year and new transfer enrollment for students from the Asheville metro area has remained steady. This result further emphasizes the impediments Helene created to recruiting students from outside the region.

"Prior to Helene, our early efforts in Fall 2024 to recruit students and build upon last year's record class were in full-swing, with data indicating we were on track for another sizable class," said Chancellor van Noort. "Similar to how Helene has negatively impacted the tourism industry in the Asheville metro area, the University is seeing a 'hesitancy' effect."

Leading up to this year, overall enrollment and the number of new students at UNC Asheville has steadily increased the last three years, including its third-largest class in University history in Fall 2024.

UNC Asheville is investing in student success and the student experience. This includes a revision to the University's core curriculum, designed to be more student-centered and transfer-friendly, the launchof a new Astronomy major, the first in the UNC System, and renovations to Lipinsky Hall, home of the University's music department.