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The enrollment includes 589 returning undergraduate students and 414 new or re-admitted undergraduates. With part-time students added, the total is 1,202.

It is the highest number of full-time undergrads since 1986, the earliest year for which records were available.

In 1991, the number of full-time undergrads was 727. In 1996, that number increased to 863. In 2001, that number dropped slightly to 858.

The enrollment figures don't include 79 students in the school's pharmacy professional program and 33 students in the Executive Master's of Business Administration post-graduate program.

School officials say the university's continued expansion and the success of both its academic and athletic programs are helping to attract more students.

"We have a new pharmacy school. We recently completed five different building projects. We won the Commissioners Cup for the best overall athletic program in the conference," said President Ed Welch.

Currently, about 100 students are enrolled in the university's pre-pharmacy program a significant driver in UC's student increase.

"It's a great time to be part of the growth and excitement here at our institution," Welch said.

The increase in student enrollment also can be attributed to the rise in international students.

This semester, the university has 75 international students 57 of whom are returning students, and 18 of whom are new. About 10 countries are represented at UC.

"Obviously that's having an impact," said UC spokesman Andy Spradling. "And that should continue to grow with the relationship we have set up in China."

Welch spent two weeks in December visiting various universities and colleges in China as part of UC's new exchange and study abroad program.

The program allows Chinese students who are learning English to study at UC and earn a four-year degree.

Retention rates at the university also have increased.

From the fall of 2005 to this year, retention for full-time undergraduate students was 82 percent an increase of 19 percent over the past two years.

In 2004, the retention rate was 68 percent. That increased to 74.5 percent in 2005.

Welch said orientation programs and various services for freshmen have helped increase retention rates.

Faculty and staff support also has helped, he says.

"We track each individual student with regards to success. We make sure to have individual follow-ups with the students," Welch said. "Our faculty and staff are encouraging students to return. They want them to be a part of the learning environment."

The university's continued academic success also has helped retain students.

"About 98 percent of our graduates are in jobs or are in graduate school within six months of graduation," Welch said.

"We make sure to share these indicators with our students. I think they know they're getting a good education."