UAB fall 2018 enrollment numbers (Graphic provided by UAB)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham's student body grew 4.88 percent this fall for a record enrollment of 21,923.

This is the third consecutive year the university has seen record enrollment. UAB added 1,021 students this fall.

"It says a lot about the attractiveness of our institution when we can continue to increase our enrollment numbers in a climate where many colleges and universities are experiencing declines," said Bradley Barnes, vice provost for Enrollment Management, in a statement. "To be able to continue to increase overall student enrollment -- and see the caliber of ACT and GPA scores our incoming freshmen attain -- really signifies that students and families recognize the world-class education and research programs we offer here at UAB. And the best news of all is that they want to be a part of it."

The Office of Enrollment Management reports that the university's honors, out-of-state and dual-enrollment programs are seeing growth. UAB saw the retention of more than 450 undergraduate students from the 2017-18 academic year.

In addition to the growth in total enrollment, undergraduate enrollment was up 702 students from 2017 -- a 5.34 percent jump. Honors admission enrollment grew 8 percent to 620 total students, and honors students also posted a 30.4 ACT score average and a 4.11 high school GPA, demonstrating the quality of students attracted to UAB. Out-of-state enrollment also rose from 14.4 percent to 15.4 percent.

UAB maintained its record freshmen enrollment at 2,299 for this academic year. The 2018 freshmen have average ACT and GPA scores of 25.2 and 3.73, respectively. That's higher than the 2017 class, according to UAB.

UAB also has one of the most diverse campuses in the nation, according to the university.

The student body is 39.7 percent minority, and minority students make up 40.5 percent of the freshman class. The student population is 21.9 percent black and 61.9 percent female. UAB has 1,049 international students enrolled this fall, who along with 442 international faculty, staff and visiting scholars on campus, represent more than 100 countries around the world.

UAB is surpassing enrollment goals set for university President Ray L. Watts in 2013. He set a goal of having 20,000 students enrolled by 2018 -- a goal first exceeded in 2017 and now surpassed by 1,923.

"We are telling our story better than ever before, and the students who come to our institution are fueling the growing energy and excitement on campus. They are writing the next chapter of our bright future," Watts said in a statement. "Many people at UAB work every day with a strategic focus on high standards of excellence in education, research, community service, health care and economic development. The consistent enrollment growth in recent years is a result of, and a testament to, the dedication of all UAB students, faculty and staff, as well as our many supporters in Birmingham and beyond."