photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

The University of Kansas campus is pictured in this September 2023 aerial photo.

The University of Kansas has hit a new all-time high for enrollment, and currently is the fastest growing public university in the state, according to new figures released Wednesday.

KU’s fall enrollment — not counting the KU Medical Center — hit a new high of 26,887 students. That’s up 5.6% from a year ago. For the second straight year, KU welcomed its largest freshmen class in history. ”

This is a special year for the University of Kansas,” Chancellor Douglas Girod said via a press release. “We are pleased to welcome this historic freshman class and to have grown our overall enrollment to the highest level in the 159-year history of the institution. These numbers confirm that talented students from across Kansas and the world see the value of attending a leading research institution like KU. Additionally, these enrollment numbers speak to the work our faculty and staff do to recruit talented students and support them as they earn their degrees.”

The 5.6% growth rate at KU was well above the growth rate of any of the state’s other five public universities. Next highest was Kansas State University, which posted a 2.8% growth rate. The average for the Regents schools — which include KU, KSU, Wichita State, Emporia State, Pittsburg State and Fort Hays State — was 2.3%.

This story will be updated.