EIU Shows Big Enrollment Gains; SIU a Big Decline

Eastern Illinois University's fall-to-fall first-time freshman enrollment has increased by an unprecedented 24.5%, according to official numbers released by the university. The news was not so good at Southern Illinois University, where there are nearly 12% fewer students this fall semester.

"We knew for some time we would see a tremendous increase in our first-time freshman enrollment this fall," said Josh Norman, EIU's associate vice president of Enrollment Management. "We anticipated growth in other key areas as well, which we're pleased our official 10th day numbers have confirmed."

According to Norman, growth in those key areas includes increases in online, undergraduate transfer, graduate student, and dual credit enrollments. Norman indicated that graduate enrollment is at its highest point in eight years, and also noted that the university enrolled international students representing 52 countries this semester, a record high for EIU.

News of EIU's fall-to-fall enrollment incerase comes after a five percent jump in the university's spring-to-spring enrollment, originally reported in January. 12 new programs contributed to the growth last spring. High school dual credit partnerships also played a part in the spring increase. Another six programs recently added to Eastern's fall 2018 curriculum further enhanced EIU's current enrollment.

According to the university's official 10th day numbers, 7,526 students are enrolled at EIU this fall. That marks a 7.1% total increase over EIU's fall 2017 enrollment.

At SIU, the drop to 12,817 students follows enrollment declines of 7.5% in 2016 and 9% in 2017. The Southern Illinoisan reports the Carbondale enrollment is about half of its 1991 peak of 24,689 students.

The university's Edwardsville campus reported a 3.7% enrollment drop to 13,281 students.

The Carbondale campus saw a nearly 20% smaller incoming class. Chancellor Carlo Montemagno says a larger drop was projected before the SIU Foundation and the Alumni Association offered more financial support for new and returning students.