UNE welcomes largest undergraduate class in its history

BIDDEFORD/PORTLAND — Bucking national trends among many of its peers in higher education, the University of New England has welcomed its largest-ever undergraduate class, with approximately 850 new undergraduate students enrolling at the University this fall.

With students hailing from 33 states, the class is also the most geographically diverse and — in terms of the number and percentage of students — the most ethnically diverse in the University’s history.

UNE President James Herbert attributes the strong interest in the University to several factors, including new majors, growing interest in existing majors, and the University’s distinctive quality as a private university with a public mission.

“UNE has always attracted students with a deep sense of purpose, who want to make the world a better place, and at this moment in history, young people know that the world needs their help.” Herbert said. “Students choose UNE knowing that our academic programs will prepare them for careers making meaningful impacts on the lives and the health of people, on communities, and on the planet.”

UNE continues to experience strong enrollment in its most popular majors: marine sciences, nursing, and medical biology.

The University has launched two new majors this fall, criminology and special education, as well as a minor in computer science, and it has experienced growing interest in its psychology and business majors.

Vice President of University Admissions Scott Steinberg said UNE’s consistent ranking on acclaimed “best of” college lists and efforts to reduce barriers to higher education, such as the University’s “test-blind” admissions policy — are a credit to UNE’s success in drawing students from a multitude of backgrounds.