First Choice University

Prospective students take a tour of the UNT campus. (Photo by Jonathan Reynolds)UNT is committed to remaining a university of opportunity as it attracts new students and enhances the quality of its programs. With an increased focus on student retention, strategic enrollment growth and more targeted recruitment, UNT is seeking to attract and graduate the brightest students, offering them a high-quality education.

"College is a life-changing experience, and a university education can make all the difference in one's success, especially when that education culminates in a UNT degree," President Neal Smatresk says. "We want to be the first choice for hardworking, talented students who will in turn lead the workforce in the region and state."

More bright students

Arlington ISD juniors in the top 20 percent of their class receive guaranteed UNT admission as part of Eagle Advantage (Photo by Michael Clements)This spring, UNT launched several initiatives to open up UNT to more college-bound students. Eagle Advantage gives high school juniors in participating school districts who are in the top 20 percent of their class guaranteed admission to UNT upon graduation. Arlington ISD is the first to partner with UNT on the initiative, and the program is expected to roll out across the North Texas region as more districts come on board.

The university also is expanding its reach, finding ways to create a bigger pool of college-educated talent. Starting in fall 2015, Oklahoma residents pursuing a bachelor's degree at UNT will no longer pay out-of-state tuition. UNT's new Oklahoma Tuition Rate cuts that cost nearly in half.

In addition to these initiatives, the university has created a new Division of Enrollment and hired a founding vice president, Shannon Goodman, who is leading the university's efforts to achieve sustainable enrollment growth and expand UNT's student population in new ways. The division is charged with improving the quality, quantity and diversity of UNT's student body through effective enrollment management and strategic enrollment initiatives.

Plan for success

Prospective students attend UNT Preview (Photo by Ahna Hubnik)All of this builds on the work UNT has been doing to ensure students continue to get a high-quality, affordable education. Last fall, the university launched the Eagle Express Tuition Plan, a fixed-rate plan that helps students manage their costs and graduate in four years while saving them up to $4,000. With about 4,700 students taking advantage of the plan its first year, Eagle Express is the most popular guaranteed tuition plan in Texas.

UNT also is finding innovative ways to offer more merit- and need-based aid, targeting student populations such as National Merit Scholars and transfer students. UNT annually awards more than $320 million in financial aid, including more than $36 million in scholarships. About 78 percent of UNT students receive financial aid and scholarships. To improve the financial aid process, the university has enhanced the verification process so it's shorter and more streamlined -- changes that will take effect this summer. And more call center representatives will be added to answer financial aid and scholarships questions.

The initiatives are having immediate impacts. Spring enrollment is up over spring 2014. Students are taking more classes, and retention is better -- all of which is expected to translate into more students graduating in four years.

"Public universities like UNT produce the workforce of tomorrow," Smatresk says. "The more we do to give students a world-class education, the better off our economy will be."

Eagle Express Tuition Plan

Learn how UNT's fixed-rate tuition plan locks in costs and helps students graduate on time.

Eagle Advantage

Read more about the Eagle Advantage plan and who is eligible.

Watch a video of the launch of the initiative at Arlington ISD.

Oklahoma Tuition Rate

Learn how Oklahoma residents can pay about half the cost of out-of-state tuition.

Take a tour

If you know someone thinking about college, take a campus tour. Campus tours are led by students several times a day, Monday through Saturday, most of the year.

Learn more about applying to UNT

To learn about application requirements and deadlines.