Spring 2026 enrollment at Sul Ross State University is showing strong momentum in Alpine, fueled by significant growth in dual credit participation and increases in semester credit hours, the key driver of state formula funding.

According to the university’s official 20th class day snapshot, the report submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for certification, total headcount at the Alpine campus rose 8.7 percent compared to Spring 2025, from 1,571 students to 1,708 as of Feb. 11.

The increase was powered largely by dual credit enrollment, which grew 49.4 percent, from 417 students last spring to 623 this semester.

“This kind of growth reflects the strength of our partnerships with regional school districts and the expanding role Sul Ross plays in creating early college pathways,” said President Carlos Hernandez. “Dual credit continues to open doors for students while strengthening long-term enrollment pipelines.”

While undergraduate and graduate headcounts saw modest shifts, dual credit growth more than offset those changes and contributed to an overall increase of 137 students in Alpine year over year.

In addition to headcount gains, Alpine also experienced a 4.7 percent increase in Semester Credit Hours (SCH), rising from 13,854 to 14,500.

SCH production is particularly significant, as it is the primary factor used in calculating funding through the state’s higher education formula.

Dual credit SCH alone rose by more than 40 percent.

Enrollment at Sul Ross’s International campuses in Eagle Pass, Del Rio and Uvalde declined slightly, with the headcount down 5.4 percent from 589 students to 557. Semester Credit Hours at the international location remained flat year over year.