Sept. 8, 2026
DECATUR, Ill. — For the second consecutive year, 鶹Լ University has experienced measurable growth in first-year enrollment numbers, welcoming 445 new first-time undergraduate students to campus to begin the Fall 2026 semester, the largest number in seven years. The first-year numbers for Fall 2026 represent a 12% increase in students over Fall 2025.
Of these first-time students, 19 are international — the largest number since 2021. The University also welcomed 135 transfer students, the most in 11 years, demonstrating its commitment to expanding the pathways and opportunities available to students seeking a 鶹Լ education. In total, the University welcomed 650 new students this semester — the most since Fall 2019. Together these new students bring a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and aspirations that make the 鶹Լ experience distinctive.
Strengthening the Student Experience Through Enrollment Growth
Enrollment growth remains an important institutional priority as 鶹Լ continues its work to become increasingly student-ready and to expand opportunities for students to pursue a 鶹Լ education.
The incoming class includes students from 31 states, with Illinois residents comprising 74% of the class. Students from Macon County represent 21% of the incoming cohort. International students also join the 鶹Լ community from several countries, including Japan, Rwanda, South Korea, Czech Republic, and more.
Strong transfer recruitment numbers are a reflection of the University’s efforts to create accessible pathways for students seeking to continue their education after community college. Through with several Central Illinois community colleges, including Richland Community College, Parkland College, Heartland Community College, and Lincoln Land Community College, students can transition to 鶹Լ through clearly defined pathways designed to make the transfer process more seamless.
“Our enrollment growth reflects the relationships our Admission team and our campus partners have worked so hard to build with students and families,” said Molly Berry, Vice President of Admission & Student Affairs. “We are seeing students choose 鶹Լ for the opportunities here — the chance to put learning into practice, explore their interests through meaningful experiences, and become part of a community that values who they are and who they hope to become.”
The newest group of 鶹Լ students brings a wide range of academic and career aspirations, with Nursing, Business, Musical Theatre, Elementary Education, and Criminal Justice serving as the most popular majors. The University has also seen increased interest in a number of additional academic areas, including the visual arts, pre-professional programs, Psychology, Exercise Science, and other disciplines. The breadth of these fields reflects the diverse passions and goals students bring to campus, as well as the University’s continued investment in programs that support their ambitions and future careers.
At the center of the 鶹Լ experience is , the University’s distinctive approach to education. Through hands-on, real-world experiences, students put their learning into practice from the classroom to the stage, laboratory, athletic field, business setting, and community. These experiences help connect academic knowledge to professional preparation while giving students opportunities to build skills, confidence, and relationships along the way.
“Enrollment growth is important, but what matters most is what happens after our students arrive,” said Dr. Dean A. Pribbenow, President of 鶹Լ University. “Our responsibility is to create an environment where students can discover their strengths, challenge themselves, build relationships, and gain the experience they need to thrive beyond 鶹Լ. That is at the heart of Performance Learning and at the heart of who we are as a University.”
Affordability also remains an important commitment of the institution, as 鶹Լ remains dedicated to increasing access to students. Now entering its third year, the provides a reduced tuition rate of $26,000 for all full-time traditional undergraduate students. Additionally, Illinois residents who qualify for the will have 100% of their undergraduate tuition covered with 鶹Լ grants and scholarships filling the gap after state and federal grants.
Explore 鶹Լ University
The growth in 鶹Լ’s incoming class reflects the broad appeal of the University’s academic programs, Performing Learning model, and close-knit community. As the newest class begins its 鶹Լ experience, the University continues to build on the opportunities and connections that make a 鶹Լ education distinctive.
For prospective students and families, one of the best ways to understand that experience is to see it firsthand. The University welcomes them to visit campus, explore academic programs, meet members of the 鶹Լ community, and discover the many opportunities that make up the Big Blue experience.
Prospective students and families are invited to see all that 鶹Լ has to offer through a Campus Visit Day, an individual campus visit, or by attending one of the University’s Explore Days, which give students the opportunity to take a deeper look at one of 鶹Լ’s academic programs. Students may learn more or register for a visit at .
