UIS sets a record with 5,174 students enrolled

The University of Illinois Springfield is celebrating its largest fall enrollment in the institution’s 40-year history. The total number of enrolled students at UIS is 5,174. It is a 4.29% increase (213 students) over last fall’s total of 4,961 students.

“To say we are excited would be an understatement. For our enrollment to surpass 5,000 marks a milestone for us. That number has been an informal goal for quite a number of years and it shows once again recognition of the high quality education that UIS provides,” said Chancellor Richard Ringeisen. “We all have made retention of students a top priority and our staff, faculty and administrators are to be congratulated for those efforts. UIS continues to be met with tough economic conditions, but we also continue to provide the highest possible level of educational experience. We are very pleased.”

There are 3,197 undergraduates at UIS this fall, compared to 3,027 last fall semester (a 5.6% increase). The number of graduate students climbed to 1,977, up 43 students from last year.

“We continue to grow as a university and the retention of students is a big part of our success,” said Interim Director of Admissions Lori Giordano.

The number of students living on campus remained the same as last fall, with 1,089 students living in UIS apartments, townhouses, and Lincoln and Founders residence halls.

Online learning sets records

Online programs at UIS are continuing to grow with a nearly 15% increase in the number of credit hours being taken online this semester, according to Ray Schroeder, director of the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service. A total of 17,172 online credit hours being taken this fall compared to 14,955 online credit hours last fall.

The number of students majoring in online degree or certificate programs grew by 63 students. A total 1,364 online majors are enrolled at UIS, a 4.8% increase from the previous fall semester.

“UIS continues to lead the way in online learning. Every semester since we began offering online classes a dozen years ago, the number of online credit hours taken by our students has increased,” said Schroeder.

Overall more than 55% of UIS students (2,850 total) are taking at least one online class this fall.

“While public universities in California and elsewhere are cutting back enrollments, UIS is expanding both online and on campus. This past spring we led all public universities in Illinois in online enrollments for college,” he said.

For more information contact Derek Schnapp, director of Public Relations at 217/206-6716 or email dschn3@uis.edu.