Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) announced that public universities in Illinois achieved the highest enrollment level in 10 years, with nearly 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year. Total enrollment at Illinois public universities increased for the second consecutive year and is the highest in 10 years according to IBHE’s annual First Look Fall Enrollment report. Illinois’ public universities are seeing renewed momentum in student enrollment and retention, according to the latest statewide data. Total student enrollment across Illinois’ 12 public universities increased by 2.3% this fall—bringing total enrollment to 189,791 students. This marks the second consecutive year of total enrollment growth and also reflects significant increases in African American and Latino student populations. ​  The overall increase in enrollment was attributable to a variety of factors, including:

• Increase in first-time, full-time freshman enrollment (6.8% increase)

• Higher rates of transfer students (6.5% increase)

• Increase in fall-to-fall retention (1.4% increase)