{ "title": "Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois Public Universities Achieved Highest Enrollment Level in Over a Decade", "modified_at": "2026-10-23 16:00:01", "published_at": "2026-10-23 16:00:00", "url": "https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-announces-illinois-public-universities-achieved-highest-enrollment-level-in-over-a-decade", "short_url": "http://prez.ly/9doe", "culture": "en", "language": "EN", "subtitle": "Overall enrollment increased for the third consecutive year despite demographic change forecasts", "slug": "gov-pritzker-announces-illinois-public-universities-achieved-highest-enrollment-level-in-over-a-decade", "body": "

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) announced that enrollment at public universities in Illinois reached the highest level since 2015, with more than 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of the 2026-27 academic year. Total enrollment at Illinois public universities increased for the third consecutive year and is the highest in 11 years according to IBHE’s annual First Look Fall Enrollment report. \u200b

“These record enrollment numbers are a testament to our sustained investments in education and our continued commitment to making college affordable, accessible, and attainable for every Illinois student,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m deeply grateful to all the teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and parents who are supporting, empowering, and opening doors of opportunity for the next generation of leaders.” \u200b

Despite intentional efforts by the Trump Administration to destabilize higher education, Illinois’ equity efforts are removing barriers for all students and families in Illinois. Total student enrollment across Illinois’ 12 public universities increased to 190,114 students, up 287 students from last year. This growth was driven by meaningful increases in African American and Latino students. \u200b \u200b

The Fall 2026 enrollment report highlights: \u200b \u200b

“The continued increase in student enrollment across our public universities is significant and evidence of the opportunities that can become available to students and families when barriers are removed,” said IBHE Chair Pranav Kothari. “By reducing barriers to a college education and ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals, we are strengthening the workforce and long-term economic prosperity of our state.”

“These increases in enrollment show that Illinois’ public universities are dedicated to reaching and serving all students, particularly students from historically underserved communities,” said IBHE Executive Director Ginger Ostro. “Our steadfast commitment to equity and expanding access to higher education opens doors to career opportunities and empowers individuals to make lasting contributions to their communities.”

This growth can be attributed to the investments made by Governor Pritzker and members of the General Assembly to make higher education more accessible and affordable. The state has increased funding for public universities by nearly $263 million (25%) since FY19. The FY27 budget also included $721.6 million to maintain the Monetary Award Program (MAP) funding level, representing a $320 million funding increase (80% increase) in MAP funding (need-based assistance) since FY19.

As a result of these investments, 44% of in-state undergraduates paid $0 in out-of-pocket tuition and fees at Illinois’ public universities in FY25. The proportion of students paying $0 tuition and fees has nearly doubled since FY18 (24%).

The FY27 budget also included a $16 million (1%) increase in operating funding for public universities, on top of $29.5 million (2%) that was initially held in reserve funding for public universities in FY26 but ultimately released late in the fiscal year and built into the base for FY27.

Continued Undergraduate Enrollment Growth

Undergraduate enrollment increased by 1.8%, or 2,464 students, to 136,795 total undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment increased at seven of the 12 Illinois public universities. Chicago State University (CSU, 15.8%) and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE, 10.1%) experienced the largest increases for the second consecutive year.

Overall enrollment at Illinois public universities in Fall 2026 increased by 0.15%, 287 students, compared to the previous year. Enrollment of first-time, full-time freshman also increased for the sixth consecutive year.

Enrollment of first-time, full-time freshmen increased at seven of the state’s 12 public universities. CSU experienced the largest gains with a 40.2% increase. Governors State University (GSU, 38.3%) and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE, 33.3%) also experienced notable increases in enrollment of first-time, full-time freshmen.

Meaningful Increases for Underrepresented Groups

Enrollment of African American and Latino students increased overall, including at the undergraduate and graduate levels, despite the federal government’s efforts to close doors to opportunity, a testament to the students’ drive and the State’s and institutions’ commitment to equity. Total enrollment of African American students increased by 7%, and total enrollment of Latino students increased by 3.5%, or 1,156 students.

Drop in International Student Enrollment

Total enrollment of international students across the state’s public universities decreased for the second consecutive year, with more pronounced decreases of undergraduate and graduate students in Fall 2026 compared to the previous year. In Fall 2026, total international enrollment decreased by 14.2%, 3,147 students. Enrollment of undergraduate international students decreased by 5.8%, 521 students, and enrollment of graduate and professional international students decreased by 19.9%, 2,626 students. \u200b

The decreases are attributed to changes to student visa processing by the federal government. These changes have negatively affected enrollment at public and private universities in Illinois and across the country, creating an unnecessary fiscal strain on postsecondary institutions and diminishing access to talent in all areas of study.

Increased Online Learning

Since the first data collection in Fall 2023 of students enrolled in distance education, exclusively online enrollment increased from 27,571 students to 32,901 students in Fall 2026 – an increase of 19.3%. Enrollment exclusively in distance education accounts for 8% of undergraduate students and 41.1% of graduate students at Illinois public universities.

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