University of Illinois enrolls a record number of students

The University of Illinois system reported a record number of student enrollments at a time when many other colleges and universities across the country are having trouble attracting students and keeping their budgets in the black.

Currently, 97,772 students are enrolled across U. of I.’s three campuses – Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield – a 3.2% increase from the previous year’s enrollment after about a decade of steady growth, according to a Wednesday news release.

U. of I. admitted 13,689 new students this fall, boosting first-year student enrollment by 3.5%.

“We are providing an outstanding education at scale, and our enrollment is evidence of the value the University of Illinois System provides to the state and its citizens,” President Tim Killeen said in the release.

While U. of I. is welcoming more students than ever this fall, several Illinois public universities are experiencing dips in student enrollment. Total undergraduate enrollment has dropped 20% since 2014, equivalent to 144,000 fewer students, according to a report by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

Colleges and universities nationwide have recently been plagued by large budget deficits, which have resulted in waves of layoffs, budget deficits, and program cuts.

In August, Western Illinois University announced the layoffs of 124 faculty and staff to help shrink a $22 million deficit. Columbia College staff went on strike in April to urge the president to stop the layoffs planned to help the college’s budget concerns. Declining enrollment contributed to the school’s budget deficit, a Columbia College spokesperson told the Tribune in June.

Struggling regional universities aren’t alone in experiencing financial troubles and fewer students. According to the most recent data, undergraduate enrollment declined 7% nationwide from fall 2019 to 2022.

One possible reason for U of I’s increased enrollment is its large allocation of money to financial aid, with $283 million available in the 2023 fiscal year, according to the news release.

The system attributes its enrollment jump to “robust spending on financial aid” and promoting opportunities available at the school, the release said.

“It is heartening to see the progress we have made, and we are redoubling our efforts to ensure there is even broader awareness in communities throughout our state of the opportunity that awaits them.”