UA Ranks 10th in Enrollment of National Merit Scholars

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama ranks 10^th among more than 600 public universities nationwide in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars for 2009-2010 with 103 scholars in the fall 2009 freshman class. The ranking also places UA 24^th among more than 2,400 universities when both public and private institutions are included.

The rankings are based on the National Merit Scholarship Corp.’s newly released 2008-2009 annual report. UA’s ranking is up from last year when the University ranked 11^th among public universities and 28^th overall.

UA is also a leader in the enrollment of National Achievement Scholars, a recognition awarded to top African-American students, ranking 3^rd among public universities and 16^th among all universities.

“These rankings reflect our continued success in attracting some of the nation’s most talented students,” said UA President Robert E. Witt. “Our freshman class includes more than 1,100 students who had 4.0 or higher grade point averages in high school. We are pleased that these outstanding students and their families appreciate the academic quality and value that The University of Alabama offers.”

UA ranked second only to the University of Florida, a university enrolling more than 50,000 students, among public universities in the SEC in enrollment of both National Merit and National Achievement Scholars.

The National Merit Scholarship Corp.’s annual report lists UA as enrolling 95 National Merit Scholars, based on those students who indicated by May 1, 2009 that they would enroll at UA. The total number enrolling for fall semester was 103.