Enrollment at Sul Ross
By: Viviana Sanchez, Skyline Copy Chief
ALPINE- Sul Ross has experienced a significant bump in spring enrollment, due in part to so-called dual-credit students who are in high school but take courses at the university, according to current statistics distributed by the school.
It was welcome news after seeing a 9% decline in enrollment across its campuses in 2025, along with the lowest number of degrees awarded in a decade.
University data shows that overall enrollment fell 9% from 2024 to 2025 across all its campuses. The Alpine campus saw a 7% decrease in enrollment, while Sul Ross International saw a larger decline of 13%.
The percentage decrease follows a year of significant growth, which university officials attributed to the transition to Division II athletics, marketing in El Paso, Midland, and Odessa, as well as dual credit courses. Dual credit students do not pay tuition, although the university receives some payment for them from the state.
In 2024, the total enrollment was 2,518, compared to 2,295 in 2025. Of those enrolled in 2025, 1,842 are undergraduate students, and 416 are master’s candidates.
In addition to the decline in enrollment, during 2025, the number of degrees awarded reached its lowest point in more than a decade. A total of 457 degrees were awarded in 2025, down from 481 in 2024 and 501 in 2023. Of the 457 degrees, 296 were undergraduate degrees, and 161 were graduate degrees. In 2015, Sul Ross awarded 602 degrees, and in 2018, it peaked at 651 degrees.
The Spring 2026 numbers show a complicated picture.
According to the university’s 20th class day report, Alpine’s increase was 8.7% compared to Spring 2025, from 1,571 students to 1,708; dual credit contributing largely to the growth.
Dual credit participation grew 49.4% increasing from 417 students in 2025 to 623 in 2026, a gain of 206 students. When taking dual credit into account, Sul Ross saw a decrease of 69 non-dual credit students.
The growth of dual credit is tied to the state's Financial Aid for Swift Transfer program. The FAST program provides funding to participating public colleges and universities, so they may offer dual credit courses at no cost to educationally disadvantaged students.
Data suggests that dual credit is currently the only enrollment category that is experiencing strong growth. As Sul Ross looks ahead, enrollment and retention will play a key role in the university’s future growth and stability.