UIC sets enrollment record as U.S. college confidence falls
As doubts about the value of higher education grow nationally, the University of Illinois Chicago is doubling down on affordability and student support and reports record enrollment for the second consecutive year. The university enrolled more than 37,000 students this fall, the highest enrollment in its history. Undergraduate numbers among Illinois residents increased nearly 7%. Marie Lynn Miranda, chancellor of the university, said it reflects a commitment to making college accessible while helping students graduate and secure good jobs. One program covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students from families earning $75,000 or less. More than half of this fall’s incoming freshmen qualified. “When you're a university that takes access, affordability, accountability very seriously, the things that make people hesitate about higher education feel less overwhelming for a young person and their family,” Miranda explained. Transfer students are also contributing to UIC’s growth, with more than 2,600 enrolling this fall. The university reports strong interest in nursing, business, STEM and online programs, while working to create pathways for students from community colleges. Nationally, a recent Gallup poll revealed just 31% of Americans consider a college education very important, a record low. Miranda noted the university's racial and socioeconomic diversity
