SPRINGFIELD – Enrollment at the University of Illinois at Springfield this fall is the largest ever in the institution's 37-year history. A record number of freshmen and online students helped boost total enrollment to 4,855, a 3.8% increase over last fall's record of 4,761 students.
Besides enrollment, UIS is also setting other records this fall, according to Marya Leatherwood, director of Enrollment Management. "This is one of the most diverse student bodies in the history of the campus with respect to geography, race, and ethnicity. Students enrolled as freshmen have come from across the state of Illinois, with about 65% coming from outside the Springfield area," she said.
Leatherwood noted that almost 40% of the freshman class (274 students) fall into underrepresented groups, with 21.5% being African-American, 7.7% Hispanic, 4.7% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1% Indian/Eskimo. "We are definitely on target with our strategic planning goal of attracting, enrolling, and graduating a diverse student body," she said.
The bright enrollment picture shows that 1,030 students are enrolled in UIS' 16 online degree programs, an 11.5% increase over last fall's 923 students.
In addition, an enrollment trend of more UIS students taking heavier course loads (more credit hours) continues this fall at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are 2,863 undergraduates at UIS this fall, compared to 2,758 last fall, and 1,992 graduate students, 11 fewer than last fall.
The highest enrolled programs of study this fall are business administration, computer science, educational leadership, psychology, and accountancy.
Nearly 900 students are living on campus in apartments, townhouses, and Lincoln Residence Hall.
