Illinois public university enrollment reaches highest level since 2015

Enrollment at Illinois’ 12 public universities reached 190,114 students this fall, the highest level since 2015, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office and the Illinois Board of Higher Education announced Friday.¹ The total rose by 287 students, or 0.15%, from last year, the third consecutive annual increase.¹

Undergraduate enrollment grew faster than the total, rising by 2,464 students, or 1.8%, to 136,795.¹ The number of first-time, full-time freshmen reached 27,502, the sixth straight year of growth, according to the announcement.¹

Where the growth came from

Undergraduate enrollment rose at seven of the 12 universities, led for the second year in a row by Chicago State University, up 15.8%, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, up 10.1%.¹ Freshman enrollment also rose at seven universities, with the largest gains at Chicago State, up 40.2%, Governors State University, up 38.3%, and SIU Edwardsville, up 33.3%.¹

African American enrollment rose 7%, an increase of 1,608 students, and Latino enrollment rose 3.5%, or 1,156 students, the release said.¹

Students who take classes only online also increased, from 27,571 in fall 2023 to 32,901 this fall, a rise of 19.3%.¹ Online-only students make up 41.1% of graduate students at the public universities, according to the release.¹

International decline

International enrollment fell 14.2%, a drop of 3,147 students.¹ International graduate and professional enrollment fell 19.9%, or 2,626 students, and international undergraduate enrollment fell 5.8%, or 521 students.¹ “The decreases are attributed to changes to student visa processing by the federal government,” the release said.¹

State funding

The governor’s office tied the growth to state spending.¹ It said state funding for public universities is up nearly $263 million, or 25%, since fiscal 2019.¹ The fiscal 2027 budget includes $721.6 million for Monetary Award Program grants, an increase of $320 million, or 80%, since fiscal 2019, according to the release.¹

The release said 44% of in-state undergraduates paid nothing in tuition and fees in fiscal 2025, up from 24% in fiscal 2018.¹ The fiscal 2027 budget adds $16 million, or 1%, in university operating funding, and builds in $29.5 million that was held in reserve in fiscal 2026, the release said.¹

“These record enrollment numbers are a testament to our sustained investments in education,” Pritzker said in the release.¹ Ginger Ostro, the board’s executive director, said, “These increases in enrollment show that Illinois’ public universities are dedicated to reaching and serving all students.”¹

About the figures

The numbers are the Board of Higher Education’s fall 2026 count for the 12 public universities, as reported in the governor’s announcement.¹ The release does not include enrollment at community colleges or private institutions.¹