Illinois College enrollment at all-time high
Illinois College set records for its largest first-year class and the largest total student body in IC history by welcoming 375 new students to campus this year.
It’s exciting to see so many new students beginning their journey at Illinois College. I am confident that the experiences they have here will prepare them to join our alumni as leaders in their fields.
Total new students to the College include about 320 first-year students and 50 transfer students. The number is a 12% increase from IC's 335 new students last year. IC’s total 2019 enrollment of 1,048 is up 7% from last year’s 980 students, which was the highest in a decade.
“Illinois College is dedicated to student success. Students are choosing an IC education because they want to Graduate READY and we are with them every step of the way,” said Vice President of External Relations Stephanie Elpers Chipman, who oversees enrollment.
Over the past 10 years, Illinois College has experienced a 19% increase in overall enrollment while raising the average high school GPA of first-year students and realizing a more diverse student body.
According to Chipman, recruiting and retaining students is a campus-wide effort. She cites recent investments in College facilities, increased donor and alumni engagement, and expanding opportunities for internships and hands-on learning, student-faculty research and Division III athletics as additional factors in recent growth. The College has also expanded its academic majors and programs and established new online offerings.
“It’s exciting to see so many new students beginning their journey at Illinois College. I am confident that the experiences they have here will prepare them to join our alumni as leaders in their fields,” said Chipman.
Growing enrollment to 1200 students by 2022 is part of Illinois College’s plan to ensure student success, realize strategic growth and achieve sustainable foundations.