CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign welcomed a record-breaking freshman class for the 2023-24 academic year, with 8,325 new freshmen (up from last record of 8,303 in 2021) enrolling this fall. They help boost undergraduate student enrollment to 35,467, the largest ever in university history. Total student enrollment is 56,403.
Following a new high in applications (67,398, up from 63,257 last year), this year’s totals include 6,150 freshmen from Illinois, making up 74% of the freshman class, the largest number since 2006, breaking a nearly two decades-old record. They represent 88 out of 102 counties throughout the state.
“We’re very proud to see so many Illinois residents choosing to stay in their home state for their college education,” said Chancellor Robert J. Jones. “These families chose Illinois because we promise to provide a transformative educational experience that is affordable and accessible to every student who has put in the hard work to earn a spot in our class. We recognize the enormous responsibility that comes with our position as the largest provider of undergraduate educational opportunities in Illinois. Just take one look at this year’s class, and it is loud and clear that the future of our state is a very, very bright shade of orange.”
The freshman class also includes 1,099 students from 47 other U.S. states and territories and 1,087 enrolled international students from 49 countries.
More than one in five incoming students is from an underrepresented group, increasing or steady in every category, making up 22% of the newest class. This is an increase from 20% in 2021 and 2022. Of those students, 1,251 self-identify as Hispanic (up from 1,066 in 2022), 449 self-identify as African American (up slightly from 444 in 2022) and 348 self-identify as multi-race (up from 265 in 2022). This year’s male-to-female ratio is an even 50-50 split, the most balanced in the school’s history, according to the available data.
Nearly one in four incoming students is a first-generation college student, making up 24% of the freshman class. This is an increase from 23% in 2022 and 20% in 2021. And the representation of students who qualified for a financial hardship fee waiver increased from 18% to 20%.
The freshman class has a strong academic profile. The average ACT was 31.5 (the same as 2022) and the average SAT was 1418 (1416 in 2022). ACT and SAT scores were optional this year, with approximately 51% of enrolling new students submitting scores.
“Our university continues to attract the brightest and most talented students,” said John Coleman, vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost. “We are excited to watch these students become part of our community and to see how their academic talents and interests and their unique lived experiences and perspectives contribute to the Illinois story. Our new students have chosen to entrust us with their college experience, and we are committed to helping them find success as they prepare to lead lives of impact and meaning after they earn their Illinois degree.”
The university welcomed 1,462 transfer students this year, the most from the past 10 years. Of those students, 58% transferred from Illinois community colleges. Students transferring to the state of Illinois from out-of-state four-year universities increased slightly this year from 259 to 269. First-generation students make up 25% of all transfer students this year.
The university also welcomed one of the largest groups of new graduate students in university history at 6,304. New graduate student enrollments are up for both on-campus and online students. This followed 35,244 applications, up 13% from last year.
Illinois enrolls 41% of its graduate students in fully online programs and is increasing in online and other non-traditional learners. The Graduate College enrolled its first class of certificate learners in fall 2022. Now, in the second year, there has been a 32% increase in new certificate students.
“The Graduate College offers many different pathways and opportunities for students who wish to pursue traditional doctoral programs to professional and online master’s and certificate programs,” said Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, dean of the Graduate College. “Our success in this approach to graduate education is reflected in the continued increase in new graduate enrollments.”
Last year, Illinois awarded 7,919 graduate degrees, more than 1,000 more graduates than in the previous year. Despite the large number of graduating students, total graduate student enrollment remains steady at 19,583 with 65% of students enrolling in master’s degree programs, 31% in doctoral programs and 4% in certificate and non-degree programs. More than 140 countries are represented by graduate students, making up 42% of total graduate enrollment.