The University of California, Davis, this fall enrolled a record number of students and one of its strongest undergraduate entering classes — including gains in academic quality, historically underrepresented minorities, global diversity and other measures.

The university, which ranks ninth among all U.S. public research universities according to U.S. News & World Report, enrolled 35,415 students from 104 countries; all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and four territories; and all but one of California's 58 counties.

California residents account for 90.6 percent of all undergraduates and 88.4 percent of total enrollment. Those students from historically underrepresented groups — African American, American Indian and Chicano/Latino — have increased to 23 percent of total enrollment among citizens and residents of the United States. 

Together, the students are among the next generation of thinkers, doers and leaders to be educated by one of the world’s pre-eminent universities.

"UC Davis is drawing promising students from California, the United States and around the world," said Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi. "It is recognition that we offer a world-class education right here in California for all students."

The university's overall enrollment increased by 1,240, or about 3.6 percent, from last fall. The number of graduate and professional students increased 2.7 percent to 7,687 this fall.

Freshmen

At a record 5,377, the number of new freshmen is up 5.2 percent from last fall. They hail from 52 of California’s 58 counties, 40 states and 38 countries. Their average grade point average, or GPA, increased from 3.99 to 4.0 this fall, and SAT score, from 1796 to 1809 this fall.

The number of California residents is up 1.7 percent to 4,438 and accounts for 82.5 percent of new freshmen. Twelve percent of new freshmen are international students, and 5.4 percent are U.S. residents from outside California.

Transfer students

New transfer students increased 1.5 percent to a record high of 3,138, drawn from 38 California counties, 30 states and nine countries. Their average GPA for college studies increased from 3.37 to 3.40.

Among new transfer students, 88 percent, or 2,761, are California residents, 11.4 percent are international students, and 0.6 percent are U.S. residents from outside California.

More than 93 percent of new transfer students came from a California community college, and two in every five had participated in the Transfer Admissions Guarantee, a program that guarantees community college participants admission to the major of their choice one year in advance of enrollment at UC Davis.

Socioeconomic measures and diversity

UC Davis also continues to be an engine of upward mobility. Of all 8,515 new undergraduates, the percentage of those who aim to be in the first generation of their family to earn college degrees increased to 44.5. And those who are from low-income families also increased to more than three in every 10 students.

There were also gains in diversity among new undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Those from the three historically underrepresented groups make up about 27.8 percent of freshmen and 26.6 percent of transfer students.

2020 Initiative

The university is committed to growing the number of California undergraduates — freshman through senior — as it increases national and international enrollment.

Under the 2020 Initiative, total undergraduate enrollment — as averaged over three academic quarters — would increase from about 23,844 in 2011-12 to 28,850.  California residents would account for 500 students, or 10 percent, of the 5,000 increase.

With almost 2,000 students in programs offered beyond Davis, the Davis campus student population is estimated at 33,434. This number is expected to decline slightly when averaged over three academic quarters.

Tables available

• Enrollment by college and level: http://bit.ly/1wDzKN8
• Enrollment by ethnicity: http://bit.ly/139QjEx
• Enrollment by supplemental fee assessment: http://bit.ly/1GN6cOg