News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Nursing (SON) record enrollment of 1,778 students highlights SIUE’s fall 2019 enrollment picture. SIUE’s first-year retention rate also reached a record high at 79%, as nearly 8 in 10 fall 2018 freshmen returned to the University for their second year.

SIUE welcomed 3,370 new students to campus for the fall 2019 semester including 1,667 new first-time, full-time freshmen, 1,047 new transfer students and 656 new graduate and professional students. Total overall enrollment of 13,061 trails last year by 220 students (1.6%). This year’s freshman class is 2% smaller at 1,667 (39 students), and new transfers are down 6% (66 students). 

The SON realized a 2% increase (27 students) in undergraduate enrollment and a 17% increase (54 students) in master’s and doctoral level students. The SON’s total does not include an additional 30 undeclared graduate students, who are taking nursing courses.

SIUE’s graduate enrollment has reached its highest level in seven years with 2,658 students enrolled in master’s and doctoral level programs. Graduate enrollment in the SIUE School of Business jumped 106% (182 students).

International enrollment reached its largest total of new students in 18 years, as 162 new international students enrolled at SIUE for the fall. The previous high was 166 new students in fall 2001.

“We recognize the challenging marketplace for prospective students for both traditional freshmen and transfers, and continue to develop initiatives to enhance enrollment growth in the future,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “We strategically seek to implement innovative academic programming, creating flexibility for students who have academic interests spanning disciplines that will be popular with both traditional and non-traditional students. Meanwhile, our online offerings continue to grow.”

“Our professional schools, graduate school and international student populations have all increased slightly this year and continue to provide a stable enrollment base for the institution,” said Scott Belobrajdic, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management.

SIUE Fall 2019 Enrollment Facts and Figures

• School of Nursing record enrollment of 1,778 students
• First-year retention rate reached a record high at 79%
• Total overall enrollment of 13,061 trails last year by 220 students (1.6%)
• Graduate enrollment has reached its highest level in seven years with 2,658 students
• International enrollment reached its largest total of new students in 18 years with 162

Photo: SIUE Freshman Class of 2023.