A record 97,772 students enrolled across the University of Illinois System for the fall semester, reflecting continued demand for the quality education offered at the three system universities.
Total enrollment for the universities located in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield topped the previous record of 94,861 established in 2022 and increased last year’s enrollment by 3.2%. First-year freshmen enrollment of 13,689 represented a 3.5% increase over the 2023 record of 13,231, and the total undergraduate enrollment of 61,944 surpassed the 2023 high mark of 60,013 by 3.2%.
“In a rapidly changing world, higher education is more important than ever – both for the future prospects of individual students and for an economy that demands an increasingly well-educated workforce,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said. “We are providing an outstanding education at scale, and our enrollment is evidence of the value the University of Illinois System provides to the state and its citizens.”
Illinois residents represent about 79% of system undergraduates. Enrollments of Hispanic and Black undergraduate students increased by 3.6% and 2.5%, respectively. The U of I System continues working with community colleges to support students who wish to transfer to the system universities, and the number of first-time transfer undergraduate students increased this fall by 4.4%.
“The University of Illinois System is committed to access and affordability, illuminating a pathway for talented, inquisitive students from all walks of life,” Killeen said. “It is heartening to see the progress we have made, and we are redoubling our efforts to ensure there is even broader awareness in communities throughout our state of the opportunity that awaits them.”
The U of I System’s commitment to accessibility includes robust spending on financial aid — $283 million in FY ’23, the most recent year available. Additionally, nearly 22,000 students at system universities receive assistance from the state’s Monetary Award Program, which Gov. JB Pritzker and the General Assembly expanded by $10 million this year. Almost 21,000 U of I System students receive federal Pell grants.
Enrollment numbers are based on the 10th day of classes at the three universities. Ten-day figures are the traditional benchmark for reporting enrollment among U.S. colleges and universities.
Highlights from each university:
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Springfield
