The University of Illinois Springfield has enrolled 353 freshmen for fall 2026, a 13.1% increase from last fall and second only to the record 373 freshmen enrolled in fall 2019. Incoming transfer enrollment also increased 2.6%, from 420 students last fall to 431 this fall.

The growth among new students helped increase UIS undergraduate enrollment to 2,359 students, up from 2,337 last fall.

“The growth we’re seeing in new undergraduate enrollment reflects the high-quality, personalized educational experience UIS provides,” said Janet L. Gooch, UIS chancellor. “Students connect with their professors, become involved on campus and prepare for successful futures, while financial aid and scholarships help make that experience accessible and affordable.”

The incoming freshman class also reflects growing diversity at UIS. The number of first-generation freshmen increased 5.4% from last fall. Hispanic freshman enrollment increased 59%, Asian freshman enrollment grew 36.4% and the number of freshmen identifying with two or more races more than doubled. Across the undergraduate population, Black enrollment also increased 6.6%.

Overall UIS enrollment is 4,008 students this fall, compared with 4,364 in fall 2025. The change was driven primarily by international graduate enrollment amid broader challenges affecting international student recruitment and enrollment.

“We’re responding to these challenges by expanding our international partnerships and diversifying where in the world we recruit,” said David Meredith, UIS vice chancellor for enrollment and retention management. “By building relationships in more countries, we can broaden our reach and create a more diverse international student population.”

UIS is also working to grow enrollment closer to home by expanding academic opportunities and reaching more students throughout the region. Ranked the No. 1 public regional university in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report from 2020 to 2026, UIS is preparing to launch a new bachelor’s degree in applied engineering in fall 2027, providing another pathway for students interested in engineering careers while helping meet workforce needs in central Illinois.

UIS also offers in-state tuition to students from select counties in Missouri, Iowa and Indiana, making a UIS education more affordable for students throughout the region.