Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus has achieved its highest total enrollment since 2019, welcoming 2,095 students for fall 2026, according to first-class-day enrollment figures reported Aug. 19.
The fall 2026 enrollment represents an increase of 12.3 percent over fall 2025. ATU-Ozark also set new records for entering freshmen and concurrent enrollment.
“Our enrollment increase represents students who have chosen ATU-Ozark as a place to build a future, high school students who are getting a head start on college and careers and families across our region who see the value of the opportunities we provide,” said Dr. Sheila R. Jacobs, ATU-Ozark chancellor. “I am incredibly proud of our faculty and staff and grateful to our K-12, industry and community partners whose work and commitment have helped make this growth possible.”
Entering freshmen for ATU-Ozark are currently up 12.5 percent, marking the largest entering freshman class in campus history. Concurrent enrollment has a current increase of 25.1 percent from fall 2025. Undergraduate enrollment is up 3 percent, showcasing the highest enrollment number since 2016. Transfer student enrollment is up 9.6 percent.
“Our growth among high school students is especially important because these students represent the future of our region and an important pipeline to higher education,” said Jacobs. “Our responsibility now is to build on the relationships we have established with them, help them see a clear pathway from high school to ATU-Ozark and ultimately connect them with the high-demand careers available throughout our region.”
The growth continues a four-year upward trajectory for ATU-Ozark. Since fall 2022, total enrollment has increased by 22.5 percent. Traditional undergraduate enrollment has increased by 13.5 percent during the same period.
Richard Harris, ATU-Ozark vice chancellor for student services, credits his team and the collaboration of individuals at ATU-Ozark.
“We are excited to celebrate this record, but our work does not end when a student enrolls,” said Harris. “Recruitment opens the door. Our next challenge is making sure students have the relationships, support and educational experiences they need to persist, complete a credential and move successfully into the workforce or continue their education. Sustainable growth means not only bringing more students to ATU-Ozark, but helping more of them reach the finish line.”
Fall 2026 marks the fourth consecutive year of total enrollment growth at ATU-Ozark and represents a transition from the pandemic-era disruption experienced between 2018 and 2022 to a sustained period of recovery and growth.
“ATU-Ozark was created to expand access to education and strengthen the communities and workforce of our region,” said Jacobs. “Seeing more than 2,000 students choose to learn with us is affirmation of that mission. We are proud of this milestone, and we are even more excited about where we go from here.”
To learn more about Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, visit www.atu.edu/ozark.
