UTEP, EPCC post enrollment gains; county breaks ground on medical examiner facility

The University of Texas at El Paso enrolled a record 27,368 students for fall 2026 classes, a 4.1% jump over last year's previous record of 26,297, according to El Paso Matters. The university also recorded its fifth consecutive year of record first-time-in-college admissions, with 4,695 new students representing a 4.3% increase.

UTPE attributed the enrollment growth to expanded online opportunities, particularly for graduate students, heightened academic advising, diverse financial aid options, and improved student persistence—continued enrollment from year to year. The university also saw increases among graduate and doctoral students and in the colleges of Nursing, Health Sciences, Engineering and Business.

El Paso Community College reported fall enrollment of 26,745 students, a 4.4% increase over the prior year. Of those, 11,547 students—or 43.2%—were high school students in dual credit or early college programs, continuing an upward trend that began in fall 2023 when that figure stood at 36.3%. Both institutions set their enrollment count at the end of Census Day, Sept. 9, after starting classes Aug. 24.

El Paso County officials broke ground Tuesday on a new Office of the Medical Examiner facility on the far Eastside at 3901 State Jail Road. The project, funded by $27 million in general obligation bonds approved by voters in 2024, will cover land acquisition, construction and equipment for a 26,000-square-foot facility with administrative offices. The Medical Examiner's Office investigates sudden, unexpected and suspicious deaths through forensic pathology, scene investigation, toxicology testing, odontology and anthropology services. Design work completed in June, with construction starting this fall and tentative completion in 2028. The current office operates from 4505 Alberta Ave. in Central El Paso.