CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — Eastern Illinois University data show that enrollment for the fall semester is down by about 5 percent but it’s the school’s lowest decline from fall-to-fall in six years.
The Charleston school’s fall enrollment is 7,030 students, down from 7,415 students in fall 2016. The Charleston school also reported Friday that enrollment of traditional transfer students increased 19 percent.
EIU also saw a 30 percent increase in first-time domestic graduate students and a 2 percent increase in international undergraduate students. Eastern’s freshman retention rates increased by an additional 4 percent.
EIU officials cite several factors for 2017 enrollment numbers including the two-year state budget impasse, fewer high school graduates available to be recruited and a statewide decrease in overall higher education enrollment.
