Illinois College enrollment reaches 10-year high
Illinois College’s Class of 2022 is the largest cohort of first-year students that the College has experienced in 15 years, contributing to the highest total enrollment in a decade.
Students recognize the value of the IC experience — access to internships and hands-on learning opportunities, a student-centered community, world-class facilities, and a guarantee that they will graduate ready for their future careers in four years.
Currently 980 students are enrolled at Illinois College, which includes 294 first-year students and 40 transfer students. According to Stephanie Chipman, vice president for enrollment management and college marketing, the increase is due to a combination of efforts throughout campus.
“Students recognize the value of the IC experience — access to internships and hands-on learning opportunities, a student-centered community, world-class facilities, and a guarantee that they will graduate ready for their future careers in four years,” said Chipman.
Chipman cites IC’s new majors and programs as fueling the increase in total enrollment, something that is historically difficult to grow in higher education. The addition of majors and programs in actuarial science, agribusiness, criminal justice, health sciences, sports management and neuroscience built on the College’s national reputation for academic excellence and an innovative curriculum. Growing opportunities in the honors program, NCAA DIII athletic teams, esports, dance, debate, and music ensembles also allowed IC to recruit top students from across the US and world. This year’s new students come from 16 states and 13 countries.
Chipman says the achievement is particularly notable given recent news of colleges and universities throughout the state and nation experiencing rapidly declining enrollments.
“Seeing our total enrollment rise is an indication that students are seeing their unique potential at IC,” she said. “Families are hearing about what Illinois College students and graduates are accomplishing and they want to be a part of what is happening here. It’s inspiring to watch their journey and be part of this kind of momentum.”
Illinois College was recently named among the best colleges nationwide in the 2018-2019 rankings released by U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly and Money Magazine, and statewide in Niche.com’s list of best colleges and best liberal arts colleges in Illinois.