Spring semester enrollment at Sul Ross State University in Alpine has increased by over 40 percent compared to Spring 2023.
The increase was expected as SRSU has engaged anew with several public school districts for Dual Credit courses. Eagle Pass High School and C.C. Winn High School, both in Eagle Pass, Texas, account for the largest increase in Dual Credit programming, defined as when an eligible student enrolls in college courses and receives credit from both the college and their high school.
Dual credit enrollment increased more than 558 percent for a total of 369 students compared to 56 in the previous Spring. Undergraduate enrollment increased by over 11 percent for a total of 84 additional students and graduate students increased by more than 24 percent for a total of 81 students.
The campuses in Eagle Pass, Del Rio and Uvalde saw a 6.1 decrease this semester, down 38 students.
Total current enrollment in Alpine is 1,620, an increase of 464 students over the same reporting period in 2023, for a grand total of 2,206 students at all four campuses.
Data is preliminary and is based on the 20th class day, the reporting date for both the Texas State University System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Campus housing reflects the increase, as well. Last fall, the residence halls were filled to capacity for the first time since 2019. While Sul Ross State historically experiences a 24 percent decrease in occupancy from fall to spring, this semester’s attrition rate is just 15 percent, a success that the Office of Residential Living attributes to expanded student retention and outreach efforts.
“This is not a fluke. It is the result of strategic planning and replicable systems built across departments,” said President Carlos Hernandez. “As I said when we recorded a small increase last fall, we aren’t satisfied. There is still work to be done, but we are seeing results and we’re going to stay in the saddle.”
SRSU is planning for additional increases next fall with attractive new scholarship options, Division II athletic competition as part of the Lone Star Conference, and as the rodeo team looks to double its membership from 50 to 100 athletes.
For more information about Sul Ross State University, visit www.sulross.edu. To apply, visit www.applytexas.org.