Illinois State sees total enrollment climb with largest entering class in the University’s history

Illinois State University welcomed 4,285 First Time in College (FTIC) students for the 2024-2025 academic year, its largest incoming class in the University’s history, up 3 percent from last year. The new class of students is also the most diverse in school history. Total enrollment is 21,546, marking a 2.7 percent increase over the previous year.

“Our faculty and staff work hard each year to welcome and support our students, and while many challenges exist across the higher education landscape, this large, diverse, and academically talented cohort is a testament to the contributions of our campus community’s focus on student success, our strong academic programs and our beautiful campus,” said President Aondover Tarhule. “Today’s enrollment report shows the anticipated impact of Illinois State’s strategic pursuit of excellence.”

The University’s total student population includes 19,107 undergraduates and 2,439 graduate students. Official enrollment figures were computed after the 10th day of classes.

“This enrollment success is a product of intentional recruitment and retention activity by the entire Illinois State community,” Executive Director of Admissions and Recruitment Marketing Jeff Mavros added. “Collectively, we have a shared desire to help students succeed in the classroom and get the most out of their time as Redbirds. As a result, these students share their positive experiences with friends and family and help recruit the next class. We can’t wait to see what these students will accomplish at Illinois State and beyond.”

Illinois State consistently admits students with strong academic profiles. The academic achievement of this year’s first-year students continues that trend with a high school GPA of 3.62 on a 4.0 scale (more than 1,000 students earned 4.0 or better). The incoming class also includes 450 new students in the Honors Program, also a record.

Illinois State’s student body is becoming more diverse as well; nearly 45 percent of these first-year students come from traditionally underrepresented groups. Thirty-four percent of the total student population comes from traditionally underrepresented groups.  In 2018, this percentage was at twenty-five percent.