Eastern’s saw a 13 percent increase in spring-to-spring total enrollment this semester, according to the university’s tenth day enrollment numbers.

Currently, Eastern has 8,630 total students. Of those students 2,740 are high school dual credit students, 4,307 are undergraduates and 1,583 are graduate students.

In the Spring 2020 semester Eastern had a total of 7,621 students. One thousand seven hundred thirty-five were high school student taking dual credit courses, 4,265 were undergraduates and 1,621 were graduate students.

When high school students enrolled in dual credit courses are not included in the total number of students, Eastern only saw an increase of four students or a 0.07 percent increase.

An increase was seen in the undergraduate population. In Spring 2020 there were 4,265 undergraduates at Eastern and 4,307 this semester for an almost one percent increase.

There was a decrease in graduate students, however with 1,621 graduate students in 2020 and 1,583 currently enrolled at Eastern for a 2.3 percent decrease.

Last spring high school dual credit students were enrolled in 7,041 credit hours and 11,564 credit hours this semester.

This spring two high school students are taking enough courses to be considered full-time students.

Overall headcount on campus has dropped from 4,475 to 3,952, an 11 percent decrease.

Currently Eastern’s student make-up includes:

· 761 freshman

· 875 sophomores

· 1,022 juniors

· 1,603 seniors

· 46 postbaccalaureate undergraduate students

· 35 postbaccalaureate graduate students

Eastern continues to have mostly of female students on campus with 5,123 female students enrolled in courses and 3,507 male students.

University President David Glassman said he believes Eastern’s reputation can be given credit for the increase.

“Eastern Illinois University’s stellar reputation for student success, academic excellence, and fiscal stewardship has resulted in another semester of significant growth for EIU,” Glassman said . “Students and their families continue to recognize the remarkable value we provide, as well as the safety and security of our residential campus and local community. I am extremely proud of our faculty, staff, and students, whose commitments to Eastern further enhance EIU’s position in Illinois and across the Midwest.”

Josh Norman, Eastern’s associate vice president for enrollment management, said Eastern is doing well recruiting new students despite outside problems.

“What the data tells us is that EIU is doing a phenomenal job recruiting and retaining students from semester to semester and from year to year, especially considering the unique circumstances our students are facing this year,” he said. “EIU’s focus is on early engagement and outcomes, and our spring 2021 numbers indicate clearly that we are fulfilling our mission of engaging students early and preparing them to be responsible citizens and leaders in a competitive, interconnected world.”

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].