The University of Toledo continues to make strides in student success as it works to retain and graduate more students.

Total enrollment for fall semester 2017 is 20,579, according to official 15-day census numbers. UT had 20,648 students enrolled in fall semester 2016.

The academic preparedness of the incoming class improved with an average ACT score of 22.9, an increase from 22.7 in fall 2016, and an average GPA of 3.42, up from 3.36 the year before.

Included in the enrollment numbers is an increase in the first-year to second-year undergraduate retention rate, which is the fourth consecutive year the University has experienced an increase as it intensifies its focus on retaining and graduating more students. UT also saw an increase in the number of students continuing their education across all class levels.

“Today’s students have many options as they seek an engaging college experience, and we continue to work hard to share the wonderful opportunities available at The University of Toledo,” President Sharon L. Gaber said. “We don’t want students to simply enroll. We want them to succeed, graduate from UT and go on to pursue successful careers. We are committed to maintaining this positive momentum.”

The fall 2017 enrollment includes 16,194 undergraduate students and 4,385 graduate and professional students. The fall 2016 enrollment included 16,247 undergraduates and 4,401 graduate students.

Among the areas of notable growth for UT is the College of Law, which experienced a more than 10 percent increase in students this fall, and the Colleges of Business and Innovation, Engineering, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Nursing.